Panel: ‘Van Marges naar Middelpunt: Aziatische Stemmen in Kunst en Cultuur’
[ENG]
‘From Margins to Center: Asian Voices in Art and Culture’ (Panel in Dutch)
The Belgian art world still does not sufficiently reflect the diverse reality of our society. Visibility remains a challenge for artists with Asian roots: they are often confronted with stereotyping, limited opportunities or a lack of representation in established art institutions. Asian Persuasion is committed to bridging this gap by offering a platform to Asian artists and putting their unique stories and art forms in the spotlight.
In this panel discussion, we explore how a (Southeast) Asian background influences artistic expression and representation in a society where Western norms are the standard. How do artists deal with these challenges? What role does art play in breaking stereotypes and stimulating social change?
Our panel members share their personal experiences and insights on how diversity within the arts can be strengthened in concrete terms. In addition, we discuss how cultural institutions and policymakers can contribute to a more inclusive art world.
We focus on a broad audience: from art and culture enthusiasts to professionals and organizations that are actively involved in diversity in the sector. Whether you are an artist yourself, represent an organization or are simply curious about how art can influence society – this conversation offers an inspiring look at the future of the Belgian art world.
Panellists:
Arunee Verlaenen, alias Nuna (singer):
Arunee (Nuna) is a 25-year-old Belgian woman with Thai, Lao and Chinese roots. Growing up with a mother with a migration background, she learned from an early age the importance of finding your place in society.As a massage therapist, she combines her love of medicine with her passion for cultural exchange. Her experiences as a singer have given her a unique perspective on creativity and self-expression. At the same time, she has faced challenges and clichés associated with her role as a massage therapist.
During the panel discussion, Nuna shares her story of what it means to be a Belgian with an Asian background. She discusses how diversity and inclusion shape her life and career and hopes to inspire others to be authentic and connect regardless of their background.
Adrian Sack (actor):
Adrian (45) is an actor of Filipino descent who grew up in Antwerp since 1981. After his secondary studies, he studied Fashion at the Academy of Sint-Niklaas. After a few years of work experience, he decided to study Drama at KASK in Ghent. Since graduating in 2012, Adrian has starred in several theater and television productions, including the role of Joël in Chaussée d'Amour and Eddy in the first two seasons of Chantal.Today, he combines his artistic work with a job as a check-in agent at Zaventem airport. He navigates his Asian and queer identity within contemporary Flemish society.
Mery Thi C. (dancer):
Mery Thi (30, Ho Chi Minh City) is a contemporary dancer and performance artist who graduated from the Royal Conservatory in Antwerp. Since then she has worked as a freelancer, creating solos and collaborations such as Fisherman's Rock, mono sentient, we kid, in sacred space and can touch this. She has performed in Antwerp theaters such as De Studio, Monty, Toneelhuis, De Roma and Zuidpool.Born in Vietnam and raised in West Flanders after being adopted, her search for identity and questioning certainties is a common thread in her work. Her artistic practice focuses on developing an authentic, somatic language of movement, exploring the energetic relationship between mind and body. Personal experiences, intuition and universal themes form the basis of her expression.
In addition to her autonomous creations, frequently reminiscent of Butoh, she also works as a performing dancer for both artistic and commercial projects.
Moderator: Christopher D'havé (Asian Persuasion, former DJ and producer)
This panel will be in Dutch. Free entry.
Illustration by Valentine Zhang
Photos by Joni Sheila, Agneskena, Joao Sineiro & Benina Hu.
[NL]
‘Van Marges naar Middelpunt: Aziatische Stemmen in Kunst en Cultuur’
De Belgische kunstwereld weerspiegelt nog te weinig de diverse realiteit van onze samenleving. Voor kunstenaars met Aziatische roots blijft zichtbaarheid een uitdaging: ze worden vaak geconfronteerd met stereotypering, beperkte kansen of een gebrek aan representatie in gevestigde kunstinstellingen. Asian Persuasion zet zich in om deze kloof te dichten door een platform te bieden aan Aziatische artiesten en hun unieke verhalen en kunstvormen in de schijnwerpers te zetten.
In dit panelgesprek onderzoeken we hoe een (Zuidoost) Aziatische achtergrond artistieke expressie en representatie beïnvloedt in een samenleving waar Westerse normen de standaard zijn. Hoe gaan artiesten om met deze uitdagingen? Welke rol speelt kunst in het doorbreken van stereotypes en het stimuleren van maatschappelijke verandering?
Onze panelleden delen hun persoonlijke ervaringen en inzichten over hoe diversiteit binnen de kunsten concreet versterkt kan worden. Daarnaast bespreken we hoe culturele instellingen en beleidsmakers kunnen bijdragen aan een inclusievere kunstwereld.
We richten ons op een breed publiek: van kunst- en cultuurliefhebbers tot professionals en organisaties die actief bezig zijn met diversiteit in de sector. Of je nu zelf een artiest bent, een organisatie vertegenwoordigt of gewoon benieuwd bent naar hoe kunst de maatschappij kan beïnvloeden – dit gesprek biedt een inspirerende blik op de toekomst van de Belgische kunstwereld.
Panelleden:
Arunee Verlaenen, alias Nuna (zangeres):
Arunee (Nuna) is een 25-jarige Belgische vrouw met Thaise, Laotiaanse en Chinese roots. Opgegroeid met een moeder met een migratieachtergrond, heeft ze van jongs af aan geleerd hoe belangrijk het is om je plek in de samenleving te vinden.Als massagetherapeute combineert ze haar liefde voor geneeskunde met haar passie voor culturele uitwisseling. Haar ervaringen als zangeres hebben haar een uniek perspectief gegeven op creativiteit en zelfexpressie. Tegelijkertijd heeft ze te maken gehad met uitdagingen en clichés die gepaard gaan met haar rol als masseuse.
Tijdens het panelgesprek deelt Nuna haar verhaal over wat het betekent om een Belg te zijn met een Aziatische achtergrond. Ze bespreekt hoe diversiteit en inclusie haar leven en carrière vormgeven en hoopt anderen te inspireren om authentiek te zijn en verbinding te maken, ongeacht hun achtergrond.
Adrian Sack (acteur)
Adrian (45) is een acteur van Filipijnse afkomst die sinds 1981 opgroeide in Antwerpen. Na zijn middelbare studies volgde hij een opleiding Mode aan de Academie van Sint-Niklaas. Na enkele jaren werkervaring besloot hij Drama te studeren aan het KASK in Gent. Sinds zijn afstuderen in 2012 speelde Adrian in diverse theater- en televisieproducties, waaronder de rol van Joël in Chaussée d'Amour en Eddy in de eerste twee seizoenen van Chantal.Tegenwoordig combineert hij zijn artistieke werk met een functie als check-in agent op de luchthaven van Zaventem. Hij navigeert zijn Aziatische en queer-identiteit binnen de hedendaagse Vlaamse maatschappij.
Mery Thi C. (danseres):
Mery Thi (30, Ho Chi Minhstad) is een hedendaagse danseres en performancekunstenaar die afstudeerde aan het Koninklijk Conservatorium in Antwerpen. Sindsdien werkt ze als freelancer en creëerde ze solo's en samenwerkingen zoals Fisherman’s Rock, mono sentient, we kid, in sacred space en can touch this. Ze trad op in Antwerpse theaters zoals De Studio, Monty, Toneelhuis, De Roma en Zuidpool.Geboren in Vietnam en opgegroeid in West-Vlaanderen na adoptie, vormt haar zoektocht naar identiteit en het bevragen van zekerheden een rode draad in haar werk. Haar artistieke praktijk richt zich op het ontwikkelen van een authentieke, somatische bewegingstaal, waarbij ze de energetische relatie tussen geest en lichaam onderzoekt. Persoonlijke ervaringen, intuïtie en universele thema's vormen de basis van haar expressie.
Naast haar autonome creaties, die regelmatig aan Butoh doen denken, werkt ze ook als uitvoerend danseres voor zowel artistieke als commerciële projecten.
Moderator: Christopher D'havé (Asian Persuasion en voormalig DJ en producer)
Dit panelgesprek gaat door in het Nederlands. Gratis toegang.
Illustratie door Valentine Zhang
Foto’s door Joni Sheila, Agneskena, Joao Sineiro & Benina Hu.
Asian Persuasion | Antwerp 2025
Asian Persuasion is back!
An evening of Asian creativity, connection and community. Be inspired by a dynamic mix of spoken word, dance, martial arts, music and comedy. Discover how art and culture bring people together.
Wander through an atmospheric market with creations by Asian makers, try a henna tattoo or enjoy delicious Asian street food. This is where stories, traditions and innovative ideas come together.
Asian Persuasion is committed to giving a stage to the diversity of Asian makers in media, art and culture. We are building a community where stories are shared, barriers disappear and stereotypes are broken. What happens on stage is just the beginning—the real magic is in the connections and conversations that arise, with the goal of working together towards a more inclusive cultural landscape.
What can you expect?
An evening full of creative energy: powerful words, elegant dance, sharp humor and acts that transcend genres. Expect a program that surprises, moves and connects.
KC WOONG
kc woong will take you on a melancholic journey through his life with whispery songs that both soothe and unsettle. His music is pure and vulnerable, with guitar melodies that make space for honest and witty Dutch lyrics. Relatable and deceptively simple, just like life. Beyond being a musician, KC Woong is a connector, with projects like De Kring and geluidsverband/songsthatbind, bringing people together through heartwarming songs and intimate performances in unexpected places.
PRADTHANA PIEKERWONDER.
With her Thai roots, Pradthana is an artist who uses words as her ultimate form of expression. Her poems are whispers through silence—imagery that bridges her inner world with the outer.
Pradthana finds beauty in the unseen and brings her thoughts to life through paint, music, dance, and especially poetry. Her work is mysterious and profound, wrapped in a warm glow of vulnerability.
Through her poetry, she embraces the shadows of darkness, while the light of hope and beauty always shines through. She invites her audience to discover the beauty in the mystical and intangible.
MÚA LÂN TRE VIỆT
Get ready for an electrifying performance by Múa Lân Tre Việt, a dynamic lion dance group led by young Tre Việt leaders and dedicated Vovinam practitioners. Rooted in Vietnamese tradition, their performance blends agility, strength, and rhythm to bring the legendary lion to life.
With vibrant colors and mesmerizing movements, they embody the spirit of celebration and good fortune. Don’t miss this energetic spectacle!
YUNA LEE
Yuna Lee channels her passion for martial arts and dance into a dynamic expression of her Korean heritage. Inspired by films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, she has mastered disciplines such as Wing Chun, Taekwondo, and Wushu. Under the guidance of master Lu Yun Ling and Minh Su Bertrand, Yuna embodies perseverance, respect, and martial arts as a journey of self-discovery and strength.
VOVINAM
Vovinam Việt Võ Đạo is a dynamic Vietnamese martial art that blends strength, agility, and discipline. Known for its breathtaking aerial techniques and signature flying scissor kicks, it embodies the resilience of bamboo—bending, but never breaking. Get ready to witness an electrifying demonstration by the talented team from Vovinam Belgium, led by Vinh Dang!
KARAN KARTHIK
Karan Karthik, born in India and thriving in the Netherlands, is a comedian known for his sharp humor and thought-provoking themes. Tackling topics like prejudice, racism, mental health, and relationships, he leaves his audience laughing and reflecting. A regular in the Dutch comedy scene, Karan has performed at festivals like UICF and MAD Goat Comedy Festival. He is currently touring with his solo show Any Color You Like, exploring life's contradictions with wit and insight.
CHROSTIN
Christina 'Chrostin' De Witte is a Belgian-Thai illustrator, cartoonist, and barista. She made her New York debut in 2018 with The Ultimate Survival Guide to Being a Girl, now translated into seven languages. Last year, she released her graphic novel Araya, inspired by her mixed heritage, along with her fully illustrated cookbook Noodles, Rice and Everything Spice, which earned multiple Gourmand Award nominations. At Asian Persuasion, Christina will captivate us with a powerful spoken word performance. Don’t miss it!
TIMOTHY FERNANDEZ
Timothy, a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Ostend with Filipino roots, brings a unique blend of indie, pop, soul, R&B, and funk. Inspired by artists such as Phum Viphurit, Boy Pablo, and Tom Misch, Timothy creates music that feels like a carefree summer day.
With dreamy indie tones, funky grooves, and soulful ballads, Timothy transports you to a world of sun, sea, and melancholic beauty. Be mesmerized by his warm voice and refined guitar playing!
JONI SHEILA
She’s set stages on fire with her powerful performances—now she’s taking the mic as the host of Asian Persuasion!
Joni Sheila built her career from busking on the streets to winning street performer titles in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Australia. She’s given a TEDx talk in Vienna, starred in a Dutch documentary, and toured the world with her music. As a singer-songwriter she’s captivated audiences everywhere, but she’s also the founder of Asian Persuasion, creating a platform for Asian creatives to shine.
Get ready for a night full of energy, talent, and unforgettable moments—hosted by Joni!
Asian Persuasion is no ordinary night out—it’s a movement. A place where talent and traditions come together, and where new perspectives are shared. Join us and be part of something special.
