Ghost and John
© 2024 Ghost and John
Cover film credits:
Cinematography: Ivan Wong and his film crew
Body paint: Hiu Tung Lau
Performance and editing: Ghost and John
Our substack / newsletter
We are open for commissions and bookings.
Collaborate with us for:
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meaningful and transformative community engagement strategies (Greater London Authority, ESEA Hub, Hidden Keileon, Canary Wharf, Tower Hamlet...)
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research, workshops and panels on collaborative practices, decolonial art making, multidisciplinary thinking, art and ecology
( Sadler's Wells, Bow Arts, Rambert Dance, University of Cambridge, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Wellcome Collection, Internationales Theaterinstitut Berlin, Civic Square, Pushkin House, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, Centro per la Scena Contemporanea, Chisenhale Dance Space...) -
movement, dance performance, light design and stage productions
(Tate Modern, ImPulsTanz Vienna, Hellerau Dresden, TD Berlin, Omnibus Theatre, Camden People's Theatre, Pleasance, Stanley Arts …) -
commercial TV, film and photo (Maison Margiela, McDonalds)
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directing, writing and choreographing for radio, stage and film
(NTS Radio, Rich Mix, Streatham Space Project, Bloomsbury Festival, Goethe-Institut, Migration Matters Festival, Tai Kwun Hong Kong...) -
installation exhibition and durational work
(Pushkin House, CCA Goldsmiths, Holborn Library, Deptford X, Making Space Gallery, Artsdepot, Derby Theatre...) -
film production and screening
(performingborders, Queer Art Projects, Moongate Production...)
Contact us at info@ghostandjohn.art
John
Ghost
Ghost and John are two multidisciplinary artist-researchers, a cultural entrepreneur duo, and a married couple, from computer science and marine biology research backgrounds. They are best known for their collaborative approach to delivering socio-politically pertinent projects, and using technology to create embodied experiences. They are two of the six co-founders of Hidden Keileon CIC, a cultural enterprise working with migrant and queer people to imagine futures with freedom and justice for all by dreaming and leading multidisciplinary and life-affirming projects.
As queer migrant artist-researchers from Hong Kong, Ghost and John have developed a dynamic and embodied practice that examines the intricacies of the body and nature, technological advances and folklore accompanying history. Their artworks, usually in the form of performances, installations and videos, focus on the fragmented memories of traumatic experiences related to displacement, relationships, social movement, and technological interaction. They have been Moving Margins researchers with Internationales Theaterinstitut Berlin (2022), ImPulsTanz danceWEBBER and ATLAS Young Choreographer (2019) and are holders of MA Contemporary Dance, The Place.
Ghost and John’s projects are presented internationally in theatres, galleries, outdoor and other odd spaces, including Bloomsbury Festival, Pushkin House and CCA Goldsmiths in London, ImPulsTanz in Vienna, Goethe-Institut in Hong Kong, and more. Their recognitions include:
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‘Two Plant Gaysians’ (2024) shortlisted for the Charlie Hartill Fund,
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‘Bitter Moves Sweet Truths’ (2023) shortlisted for the Untapped Award,
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'Paradoxical Gasps’ (2022) funded by Arts Council England,
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‘Radio Neighbourhood’ (2021) awarded the Ideas and Pioneers Fund by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and more.
As cultural entrepreneurs, Ghost and John collaborate with local governments, community organisers and cultural workers to drive social change through imagination infrastructure building work. They strategise and deliver projects that platform historically marginalised voices to construct worlds beyond the current structures, usually in the capacity of Hidden Keileon CIC.
As a married couple, Ghost and John are always cooking Cantonese dishes and balcony-gardening in their London flat. Their living room is their studio, dance floor and laboratory. They enjoy hosting dinner and board game parties for their close friends, growing new plants from cuttings, watching absurdist and surrealist films and making up new recipes.
Individually: Ghost is a multimedia performance artist, creative technologist, and all-rounded digital wizard. John is a multidisciplinary storyteller, creative strategist, Lecturer (Unit Leader) and actor represented by Hancock Agency. Please do read their individual biographies as well.
