In a world where diversity, equality and inclusion discussions can sometimes seem superficial, ‘Diverse Yet United’ seeks to provoke genuine reflection. By focusing on the heart – a universal symbol of compassion – I aim to inspire a deeper, more nuanced dialogue about how we connect across our differences.
Odette Valero, Global Cultures MA student
10 February 2025
'I aim to inspire a deeper dialogue' — MA student's art on show at international exhibition
Odette Valero, a student on the Global Cultures MA in the Faculty of Arts & Humanities, has been selected to display work at the Embracing Our Differences 2025 exhibition in Florida.
Odette’s work, titled Diverse Yet United, will be shown during the exhibition, which is themed around diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI). The piece transcends traditional artforms, serving as a deliberate call to rethink understanding of unity and inclusion and engage with often overlooked aspects of DEI.
Chosen from more than 10,000 entries from around the world, Odette’s work stands out for its bold and thought-provoking commentary that challenges conventional notions of unity and invites reflection on the complexities of human identity.
Odette produces art under the moniker OV ArtisticDrive, which symbolises her journey from her roots as a Mexican artist to her success in the Canadian art scene.
A passion for art is one of the reasons Odette chose to study on the Global Cultures MA. Her work intersects with the themes of the course, which has offered Odette new sights and methodologies, and enriched her creative practice.
As a King’s student, I am proud to embody the values of innovation and critical thinking that my studies in Global Cultures have instilled in me. Art has the power to inspire change and deepen our understanding of what it truly means to embrace diversity.
Odette Valero, Global Cultures MA student
It is always inspiring to see how the students on our Master's in Global Cultures draw their professional and lived experiences into conversation with their academic work. In her painting, ‘Diverse Yet United’, Odette offers a colourful and visceral illustration of the creativity that goes hand-in-hand with our cultural education and research.
Dr Emily Pillinger, Senior Lecturer in Classics and Liberal Arts
Visit the exhibition at Sarasota’s Bayfront Park, Florida, from 19 January to 13 April, and at St Petersburg’s Flora Wylie Park, Florida, throughout the month of March.
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Senior Lecturer in Classics and Liberal Arts