The pandemic has brought into sharp focus the precarious situation faced by artists, cultural workers and women in essential socio-economic roles. On a broader scale the project reflects women's roles that are currently undervalued and underpaid, with women under-represented politically, socially and economically. The artists have also a self-reflective role since artists represent one of the sectors most impacted by the pandemic; investigating how artists can cope with the precarious working conditions as an already underprivileged group. The Nordic artists will collaborate with the artists in partner countries in a virtual space, sharing ideas, stories and materials with each other and creating an inclusive, multi-disciplinary residency. The artworks created by the commissioned artists will highlight women's varied and pivotal roles – from frontline sectors like health and education, to women's care burdens within their own families. The final exhibition will be digitally presented in late autumn/winter 2021.
Woven Network Nordics is managed by Intercult and funded by the Nordic Culture Fund. The project is a continuation of the Ukraine-led Woven Network which took place in 2020 with artists from Scotland, Sweden and Ukraine, and was financed by the House of Europe Ukraine. With partners Woven Govan/Fablevision studios (UK), Transform World Festival (NO), Nordisk Teaterlaboratorium (DK) and Платформа ТЮ (UA).