Onni

Sioe Jeng is an artist, activist, and creative director who fights for representation and equality. She poses the question: How do you claim space as a creator in a world where you're often made invisible?

Theme of the evening: Claiming Space

Over 1 million people of Asian descent live in the Netherlands, yet they account for less than 1% of media visibility. How do Asian creators find their way in the creative sector? What obstacles do they face? And what concrete steps are needed to create more space and visibility?

During this evening we will look for answers, inspiration and practical tools together.

Sioe Jeng (SEEYOUSIOE) is a queer multidisciplinary artist from Rotterdam, of Chinese descent with a family history that stretches from Amsterdam to West Papua. Her work explores identity, migration, queer joy, and social justice through digital illustration and painting. In 2025, she published her illustrated memoir "My Time in the Sun" and curated the exhibition "Love That Remains" at the CODA Museum. Using art as both protest and healing, Sioe Jeng creates spaces that center marginalized stories.

Film screening — Reclaiming Dragons

We open with Xiang Yu Yeung’s short film, selected for the Debut Competition of the Netherlands Film Festival 2025 — a psychological sci-fi about agency, belonging, and reclaiming your own space.

After the film, Xiang will talk to:

1. Pris Roos — a multidisciplinary artist working with painting, performance, and spoken word around identity, (chosen) family, and memory.
2. Ruby Joemai — an interdisciplinary artist who explores her Surinamese-Hindustani and Indo-Caribbean roots through film, fashion, and dance.

Together they share experiences about visibility, barriers and sustainable creative practices.

Mini-workshop: Claim Card

Facilitated by Nadine Ridder — writer, speaker and facilitator in the field of social justice.

Each participant makes:

1. one concrete step to follow through
2. one border that protects your practice

Musical closing

Featuring a live performance by Dizzi Geetha — a queer artist, multi-instrumentalist and ceremonial accompanist from Sri Lanka, whose sonic landscapes are not only heard but experienced.

Afterwards we will toast together with snacks from Thuistoko Eva — to celebrate, connect and chat.