In a world increasingly interconnected, the concept of identity is ever-evolving, especially in relation to migration, diaspora, and belonging. Artists today grapple with these complex themes, exploring how cultural identities are shaped, challenged, and redefined in response to displacement, colonial legacies, and the forces of globalisation. Through their work, they disrupt conventional narratives of identity and heritage, highlighting both the individual and collective dimensions of belonging.
GRIMM | The moon wanted to be the sun, but it was too late to change | Arturo Kameya | Jordaan
Arturo Kameya’s work examines the narratives and myths that comprise different versions of socio-political history of Peru. Works in various media are often grouped together to create large-scale installations that delineate connections between disparate historical events, by linking together a range of visual cultural languages which have been formed over time. His work invites viewers to consider the intricacies of identity formation in a world of shifting socio-political landscapes.
No Man’s Art Gallery | Intsomi | Buhlebezwe Siwani | West
Intsomi is a continuation of Siwani’s research into the reclaiming of places and spaces in the Netherlands, aiming to reveal the ways in which the Netherlands holds strong ties to colonial practices. In Xhosa, ‘intsomi’ means “story”; a word that echoes the narratives shaped by and born from these histories. Siwani’s exhibition sheds light on the powerful connections between migration, heritage, and belonging.
Buro Stedelijk | Manifestation #53: I Must Still Grow in the Dark | South
I Must Still Grow in the Dark” is a group exhibition that explores darkness as a powerful force for reimagining identity and cultural heritage. The exhibition reclaims darkness as a site of strength and knowledge, challenging colonial and racist narratives. By confronting dominant narratives that often marginalise certain identities, the exhibition provides alternative perspectives on how migrant and diasporic communities navigate their complex histories and futures.
Oude Kerk | Kimsooja’s | To Breathe | Centre
Kimsooja’s immersive installation honours both personal and collective histories of migration, using symbolic objects and light to reflect on themes of transition and cultural identity. Kimsooja transforms the sunlight in de Oude Kerk into a sea of rainbow hues. On the church’s stone floor, she places her bottari—Korean textile bundles symbolising travel and transition—created in collaboration with Amsterdam’s migrant communities. These bundles unite world history with personal stories.
Thami Mnyele Foundation | Nella Ngingo & Rossel Chaslie | West
In a collaborative artist talk with Nella Ngingo and Rossel Chaslie, both artists engage with the legacies of colonialism and the ongoing effects of migration. Ngingo, a queer Black woman, uses her art to explore her heritage and amplify marginalized voices, while Chaslie, a bicultural artist, navigates identity within a Dutch society still reckoning with its colonial past.
