Aviva Pusey is a creative activist and community worker, born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. She founded the Collective in March of 2019. Collective is an online magazine and community working towards guiding empathy through creativity. Aviva has a deep passion for the study of culture, and loves to travel and be embedded in the amazing communities this world has to offer. Her main exploration is in the meaning of empathy, and its power to create peaceful, united and collective change.
Aliya Adamjee is a 22-year-old fine arts student at Parsons School of Design. Originally from Pakistan, Aliya currently resides in New York City where she attends school and continues the exploration of her various forms of creative expression. As of late, Aliya has been continuing her work painting, while also pursuing her love for DJ-ing. To see some of Aliya’s work, follow her on Instagram @artextremities!
Reflection: Personally, the past few months have been a challenge. I think most can say the same. Living in New York City, I and so many others were among those the first in the country to be extremely impacted by the wrath of COVID-19 . Looking back on the past few months, I have been able to see how lives were shifted in all types of ways. When interviewing Aliya, I was reminded of this. She was able to tell her story of experiencing the virus as a young art student living in New York City. Through the ups and downs, Aliya was able to heal her mind, body, and soul. Even when facing the possibility of death, she was able to live to the fullest and drew on her creative mind and soul when she needed to. I was honored to hear my great friend’s story. And excited that we can share it with future listeners.