our team
the founder
Ally Zlatar, an artist, scholar, and activist, who founded The Starving Artist to address the lack of representation in authentic and vulnerable discourse surrounding ill-health, deriving from her own experiences of chronic illness. She passionately leads The Starving Artist and ignites creative advocacy across the globe since 2017. She also established The Starving Artist Scholarship Fund, aiding access to mental health treatment for marginalized communities.
Recognized with prestigious awards, including the Commonwealth Innovation Awards and The Princess Diana Legacy Award, Zlatar holds a Doctorate of Creative Arts from the University of Southern Queensland. As a Lecturer at the University of Glasgow, she uses art to explore human experiences, emphasizing illness, vulnerability, authenticity, aiming to drive social reform.
our talented team of curators + creatives
a group of truly lovely individuals
enya prince
Enya Esteban Prince passionately explores the intricacies of daily life and the human psyche, focusing on women's experiences. She is a Spanish-British artist who highlights the complexity of the human experience in her work. As the curator, Enya's role deeply resonates with the exhibition's exploration of identity, belonging, struggles, and representation.
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gloria tang yuze
Gloria is a self-taught Singaporean artist who believes in the power of advocacy through artistic expression. Wielding a paintbrush and a catalog of not-so-cryptic symbolism, she delights in the cathartic experience of art-making, with her work serving as authentic conversations on the never-ending search for purpose, her queer experience, and mental health.
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anya bess
Anya Bess, a Trinidadian graphic designer now based in London, is a dynamic force in the design world. Specializing in brand identity, strategy, packaging, editorial, and web design, she draws inspiration from her colorful Caribbean roots. Anya focuses on sustainability, mental health, and climate change. Her portfolio showcases a unique fusion of creativity and purpose.
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varada srivastava
Varada Srivastava, a Biotechnology BSc (Research) graduate and emerging artist, is a passionate advocate for autoimmune health. She plays a crucial role in the IBD Patient Support Foundation, focusing on awareness and advocacy. Varada's innovative approach and steadfast commitment position her as a key figure in advancing health and wellbeing equity across the globe.
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hailey ciantar
Hailey, a committed climate activist and law student from rural Malta, plays a key role in the European Youth Card Association's Youth Panel. She is also an EU Bioeconomy Youth Ambassador, Hailey focuses on raising awareness about the importance of natural environments and represents the youth at prestigious European conferences.
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puneet singhal
Puneet Singh Singhal is a passionate advocate for Disability Inclusion and Accessibility, overcomes personal challenges like dyslexia, dyspraxia, and stammering. As the Chief Discovery Officer at Billion Strong and Head of Community Engagement at GNYPWD, he actively promotes inclusivity and disability advocacy.
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raunak singh
Raunak Singh is a Glasgow-based professional artist from India, specializing in photography, filmmaking. With a particular focus on food and the people connected to it, Raunak is driven by a strong commitment to raising awareness about mental health, utilizing his artistic work as a platform for promoting positive change.
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emma shen
Emma Shen, a Chinese visual artist currently residing in Edinburgh, Scotland, has collaborated with Disney, BBDO, FCB, and Ogilvy. Her illustrations, installations, and paintings have been exhibited internationally. Describing her work as a "blend of whimsy and metaphor". She aims to capture the essence of emotions and imagination on canvases, utilizing both traditional and digital tools to unveil unique perspectives on the ordinary.
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