Today we are joined by Oonya Kempadoo, a British-born novelist of Guyanese heritage and author behind 'Naniki,' an immersive location-based experience that embraces the collaborative spirit of inter-arts storytelling. A woman that knows better than anyone else how important words are to art and art is to words, a creative visionary celebrated for her renowned works such as 'Buxton Spice,' 'Tide Running,' and 'All Decent Animals'.

Shaped by his Black identity and Montréal's vibrant Black queer community, Fotar Tunteng is a versatile creative—DJ, model, app developer, and the mind behind ëmolo, a social app where communication thrives on colors and emojis. Inspired by Bauhaus and seamlessly merging diverse disciplines into unified expression, his journey blends music, fashion, and digital media.

This episode features Sian Fan, an award-winning interdisciplinary artist and current resident at Somerset House Studios. With a background in contemporary and aerial dance, Sian blends movement, the body, and technology to explore identity and human experience in the digital age. Her work has been showcased at Tate Modern, Mutek, FACT Liverpool, and the V&A, and featured on Channel 4, the BBC, and Facebook/Meta. She recently produced a new commission for the CUTE exhibition at Somerset House. Sian's work meditates on her mixed Chinese/British heritage, exploring identity, diaspora, and the objectification of Asiatic bodies, while delving into the intersections of Asian and cyborgian bodies, virtual identities, and our relationship with technology.

"Conversas: Who's Missing In This Room?" fosters a contemplative space for artists through innovative reflections on Equity. Sessions span Montréal, Toronto, and Barcelona, featuring notable figures like novelist Oonya Kempadoo, creative Fotar Tunteng, interdisciplinary artist Sian Fan, and Efe Ce Ele. Promoting sustainability and collaboration, Conversas serves as a catalyst for dialogue and action, aiming to address resource imbalances in the arts sector. Conversas received support from the Canada Council for the Arts’ Strategic Innovation Fund - SEED, and executed in collaboration with Interaccess, Flumi, and with the generous backing of MUTEK ES and MUTEK Montréal.