undercurrent esea sound and performance art festival

The contemporary art world has long thrived on diversity, yet certain communities and art forms remain persistently underrepresented. Among them are East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) artists, whose contributions often exist at the margins. Similarly, sound and performance art—ephemeral and time-based by nature—are frequently relegated to the periphery of visual art events. These forms face significant challenges in gaining recognition within the traditional contemporary art landscape, particularly in terms of exhibition opportunities, exposure, and archival preservation. This marginalisation not only limits the visibility of ESEA sound and performance artists but also diminishes the broader cultural dialogue their work could inspire.

In an effort to address these imbalances, independent curator Erika Song and the curatorial collective TRA proudly present the inaugural ESEA Sound and Performance Art Festival – undercurrent. This one-day event in London aims to spotlight the vibrant and innovative practices of ESEA artists working in sound and performance art. Featuring 10–20 artists, the festival will showcase a curated program centred on a core theme exploring the intersections of cultural heritage, identity, temporality, and the transformative potential of sound and performance.

Beyond the programme of live performances, the festival will feature an exhibition of instruments, installations, and archival materials related to the works, offering audiences an opportunity to engage with these dynamic art forms beyond their immediate, time-based nature. To conclude the evening, undercurrent will partner with music events promoter Zenegeist for an electrifying ESEA disco night, celebrating the festival’s spirit with music and community.

Undercurrent ESEA Sound and Performance Art Festival aspires to carve out a space where the fleeting, the experimental, and the underrepresented are celebrated, reshaping the landscape of the contemporary art world through presence, participation, and transcultural exchange.