An artist collective collaborating with migrant and queer people to imagine futures with justice and freedom for all, by dreaming up and leading multidisciplinary, life-affirming cultural projects.
We create the hard-to-imagine and yet-to-exist.
Our Mission
We are six multidisciplinary artists, strategists, thinkers, researchers and curators focused on making change. We collaborate with people from migrant and queer communities like ourselves to imagine futures with justice and freedom for all. We dream up and lead community building and life-affirming cultural projects across the UK and beyond.
We build radical friendships to change the world. We demonstrate a fluid and non-hierarchical collaboration. We make use of the transformative power of arts and culture to create new possibilities and ideas.
Our name ‘Hidden Keileon’, is inspired by a mythical symbol of hope, reflecting our commitment to amplifying the stories and cultures of overlooked communities. We make the unseen seen, the unheard heard, and the unimagined a reality.
Our Vision
Futures with justice and freedom for all.
Our Mission
We are six multidisciplinary artists, strategists, thinkers, researchers and curators focused on making change. We collaborate with people from migrant and queer communities like ourselves to imagine futures with justice and freedom for all. We dream up and lead community building and life-affirming cultural projects across the UK and beyond.
We build radical friendships to change the world. We demonstrate a fluid and non-hierarchical collaboration. We make use of the transformative power of arts and culture to create new possibilities and ideas.
Our name ‘Hidden Keileon’, is inspired by a mythical symbol of hope, reflecting our commitment to amplifying the stories and cultures of overlooked communities. We make the unseen seen, the unheard heard, and the unimagined a reality.
Our Vision
Futures with justice and freedom for all.
We are 6 multidisciplinary artists, strategists, thinkers, researchers and curators focused on making change.
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Building radical
friendships to
change the world
friendships to
change the world
Demonstrating collective,
non-hierarchical
collaboration
non-hierarchical
collaboration
Exploring possibilities
and imagination
through the arts
and imagination
through the arts
What is a Keileon?
Keileon (麒麟) is neither a dragon nor a tiger, neither phoenix nor peacock; It is a chimaera of mythical creatures, the impossible combinations of animals born to this beautifully chaotic world. You have probably not heard of this word before, because there are plenty of spellings out there from different East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) heritages (กิเลน, kỳ lân, 기린). However this time, it is from a London-based, Hongkongese narrative - Keileon. The old Hakka saying: Keileon hides as the people are troubled. Keileon dances as the world is at peace. (百姓愁，麒麟走；天下和，麒麟舞。)
No one has ever seen Keileon as turmoils constantly appear in corners of our world. Until the day the voiceless are heard, the suppressed are freed, and justice prevails, Hidden Keileon perseveres in presenting works liberating minds, bodies and spirits.
We are luring the hidden Keileon (麒麟, กิเลน, kỳ lân, 기린) out of its cave as it hides from the troubles in the world. No one has seen a Keileon before as the world has never been at peace. We are fearful of the changes it would bring but are also longing for the joy of discovering the unknown.
Keileon (麒麟) is neither a dragon nor a tiger, neither phoenix nor peacock; It is a chimaera of mythical creatures, the impossible combinations of animals born to this beautifully chaotic world. You have probably not heard of this word before, because there are plenty of spellings out there from different East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) heritages (กิเลน, kỳ lân, 기린). However this time, it is from a London-based, Hongkongese narrative - Keileon. The old Hakka saying: Keileon hides as the people are troubled. Keileon dances as the world is at peace. (百姓愁，麒麟走；天下和，麒麟舞。)
No one has ever seen Keileon as turmoils constantly appear in corners of our world. Until the day the voiceless are heard, the suppressed are freed, and justice prevails, Hidden Keileon perseveres in presenting works liberating minds, bodies and spirits.
We are luring the hidden Keileon (麒麟, กิเลน, kỳ lân, 기린) out of its cave as it hides from the troubles in the world. No one has seen a Keileon before as the world has never been at peace. We are fearful of the changes it would bring but are also longing for the joy of discovering the unknown.
What do we do?
Our work is grounded in our lived experiences, involving community building and life-affirming cultural activities. We draw on our migrant identities, histories, and connections with people and places to create inclusive and impactful initiatives. We host vibrant community spaces and produce innovative arts projects for migrant and queer communities, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment.
Our work is grounded in our lived experiences, involving community building and life-affirming cultural activities. We draw on our migrant identities, histories, and connections with people and places to create inclusive and impactful initiatives. We host vibrant community spaces and produce innovative arts projects for migrant and queer communities, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment.
Community building
We actively create brave and safe spaces for co-learning and peer development, recognising everyone is an expert in their own lived experiences. By sharing essential stories and facilitating experiences that bring people together to discuss migration and combat racism, we open up new possibilities for visioning futures with justice and freedom for all.
For example, our Peer Exchange Programme (2024) engaged over 60 community members in a series of knowledge exchange and skill-sharing activities, covering topics such as trauma-informed practices, non-exploitative multicultural learning, and ecological health. Evaluations indicate that participants felt empowered and experienced significant outcomes, including building allyship and creating a learning community exploring the intersection of arts and ecology, migrant mothers' well-being, etc., thereby supporting artistic expression and enhancing community welfare.
We actively create brave and safe spaces for co-learning and peer development, recognising everyone is an expert in their own lived experiences. By sharing essential stories and facilitating experiences that bring people together to discuss migration and combat racism, we open up new possibilities for visioning futures with justice and freedom for all.
For example, our Peer Exchange Programme (2024) engaged over 60 community members in a series of knowledge exchange and skill-sharing activities, covering topics such as trauma-informed practices, non-exploitative multicultural learning, and ecological health. Evaluations indicate that participants felt empowered and experienced significant outcomes, including building allyship and creating a learning community exploring the intersection of arts and ecology, migrant mothers' well-being, etc., thereby supporting artistic expression and enhancing community welfare.
Life-affirming cultural work
We create art in theatres, galleries, and unique spaces to highlight the challenges faced by many people due to inequality and injustice. Our programmes, delivered in collaboration with venues committed to social justice, facilitate knowledge sharing and address critical social justice issues. We engage in conversations and research about migrant welfare and queer experiences, thereby bringing to light the collective struggles of our communities and urging policymakers to take action.
For instance, Radio Neighbourhood (2020-ongoing), our PHF Ideas and Pioneers Fund awarded project, brings together people from diverse social classes and cultural backgrounds through a series of public performances. This initiative has reduced isolation and fostered a sense of connection in the (post-)pandemic world. It has increased understanding of migrant experiences and respect for diverse voices in our society. Evaluations reveal that audience members have changed their perceptions of their neighbours, leading to an increased sense of gratitude, compassion for self and others, and creating safer and more inclusive living environments.
We create art in theatres, galleries, and unique spaces to highlight the challenges faced by many people due to inequality and injustice. Our programmes, delivered in collaboration with venues committed to social justice, facilitate knowledge sharing and address critical social justice issues. We engage in conversations and research about migrant welfare and queer experiences, thereby bringing to light the collective struggles of our communities and urging policymakers to take action.
For instance, Radio Neighbourhood (2020-ongoing), our PHF Ideas and Pioneers Fund awarded project, brings together people from diverse social classes and cultural backgrounds through a series of public performances. This initiative has reduced isolation and fostered a sense of connection in the (post-)pandemic world. It has increased understanding of migrant experiences and respect for diverse voices in our society. Evaluations reveal that audience members have changed their perceptions of their neighbours, leading to an increased sense of gratitude, compassion for self and others, and creating safer and more inclusive living environments.
We are committed to fostering sustainable change by building networks, growing leadership, and exploring community dynamics. We create a movement that makes a difference by promoting awareness, confidence, resources, and allyship. By doing so, we aim to grow a resilient community capable of driving social change and ensuring justice and equity for all.
© 2025 by Hidden Keileon
Hidden Keileon CIC - Company No.13909389
Hidden Keileon CIC - Company No.13909389
