Bishkek Hosts Central Asia Data-Art Exhibition on Women’s Rights: “Tirek: The Thread of Her Life”

Bishkek, July 11, 2025 — The National History Museum of the Kyrgyz Republic has opened its doors to a powerful Central Asia data-art exhibition “Tirek: The Thread of Her Life.” This unique initiative brought together artists, activists, researchers, government officials, civil society, international organizations, and youth in a powerful visual dialogue on women’s rights through the lens of data and art.

The exhibition’s title, Tirek — meaning “pillar”, “backbone” or “foundation” in Turkic languages — is deeply symbolic. It reflects the role women are often compelled to assume under the weight of gender roles, societal expectations and life circumstances. At the same time, tirek carries similar meanings of a poplar tree, known for its deep and powerful roots — a metaphor for resilience and inner strength. The exhibition invites us to pause and listen closely to this deep inner strength. Not only to witness how it manifests, but to feel where it takes root: in societal expectations, in the need to be strong when no other choice exists. It is a shared moment of reflection – to ask: Why are women so often expected to be the unshakable pillars of strength – and at what cost?

“The Ministry of Culture recognizes the vital role of art in shaping public discourse. The Tirek exhibition exemplifies how creative expression, grounded in data, can illuminate pressing gender issues and contribute to the advancement of equal rights and opportunities for all,” said Gulbara Abdykalykova, Deputy Minister of Culture, Information, and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The exhibition features 14 original artworks created by artists from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, using an innovative method — data art — a fusion of gender data and the artistic vision. Developed in collaboration between artists, UN Women and the School of Data, these pieces are grounded in real gender data and explore critical issues such as women’s leadership, invisible labour, economic inequality, discrimination, gender-based violence, maternal mortality, gender stereotypes and social norms.

“Gender data is more than numbers — it’s evidence of lived realities, of inequalities that persist in silence. Through art, we give these numbers a voice, a face, and a story. Tirek is not just an exhibition; it’s a call to see data not as distant or technical, but as a drive of empathy, awareness, and action. When data meets art, it becomes a catalyst for change,” underlined Ala Negruta, UN Women Regional Gender Statistics Specialist for Europe and Central Asia. 

By transforming numbers into compelling visual narratives, the artworks breathe life into gender statistics, evoking emotion, engagement, and reflection. Together, they form a symbolic “pillar” — a visual and conceptual framework that not only highlights pressing issues but also serves as a foundation for advancing the rights of women and girls in Central Asia.

“It is a great honour for us that the Kyrgyz Republic became the first country in Central Asia to host the Tirek data-art exhibition, held in commemoration of the 15th anniversary of UN Women and the 100th anniversary of the women’s movement in the country,” said Dr. Sadiq Syed, UN Women Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic. “This exhibition is a vivid example of how art and data can unite to visualize deeply rooted gender inequalities and bring attention to stories that have long remained unseen. We are deeply grateful to all the artists, mentors, and partners whose passion and commitment have made Tirek not just a cultural event, but a catalyst for public reflection and action toward gender equality.”

The exhibition also features guided tours, data visualization master classes, interactive discussions on gender stereotypes, violence against women, and femicide, as well as film screenings and conversations on the role of women in science, culture, and society.

“Tirek is a tribute to women’s resilience, but also a space for rethinking conventional views on the role of women in society. It is an artistic interpretation of the invisible. It is an act of remembrance, of hope and a call to listen – through art and data – to women’s stories, to reflect and to reimagine,” highlighted Cholpon Tentieva, a curator of the exhibition, during the guided tour.

Tirek: The Thread of Her Life is open to the public until July 23, 2025, at the National History Museum, located at 203 Chuy Avenue, Bishkek. Admission is free.

Explore the catalogue of artworks here.

This exhibition was organized as part of UN Women “Making Every Woman and Girl Count” regional programme in close partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Information and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Ministry of Labour, Social Protection and Migration, Eldik Bank OJSC, and Airports of Kyrgyzstan OJSC.