A mirror selfie of (from left) Ong, Hidhir and Rahel in the photographer’s flat in the St John’s Wood district in London. He says: “We’re all away from our homelands and trying to navigate this predominantly white‑centred creative industry here. Our shared experiences – be they good or bad – are what connect us …We know that being Asian here in London, we’re already the minority. We understand the importance of having a seat at the table and how hard it is to get there. It’s a feeling that can’t be described, but when we look at one another, we know how it is.”

“Food is what brings all of us together,” says Hidhir. “We always explore Asian restaurants of different cultures together and like to catch up over food. It helps that one of us, Rahel Stephanie, is a chef – a very popular one … During our first trip together as a group (to Henfield, a village in West Sussex) this February, we all made dishes to share with one another – a huge potluck feast … Through food, we’ve learnt so much about one another’s cultures and the similarities that bridge us.”

Seen here are Ning Loh (left), the designer and founder of Stringboard Technologies, an app designed to learn Chinese quickly and efficiently; Sami Kimberley (middle), a creative director, visual artist and co‑founder of Baesianz FC; and DJ and record label manager Alice Whittington – all part of Hidhir’s close community of creative friends – tucking in during the posse’s recent getaway.

Rahel – her preferred name – in the kitchen whipping up pandan berry blondies, one of her most famous recipes, for the group. Trained in fashion marketing and retail, the Jakarta native who also grew up in Singapore is behind Spoons, a pandemic‑born, plant‑based supper club that has worked with some of the coolest names in fashion and lifestyle, and has become so popular, tickets sell out in minutes.

Says Hidhir: “Even though we’re all living far away from our respective homes, our chosen family here – made up of people from different parts of Asia – still helps to create joy and camaraderie … For example, we always make it a point to turn up for one another’s projects because we all know how much hard work it had taken for us to get to that point in our careers. We’ve supported Nicole (on the extreme right) whenever she’s had her work showcased in group exhibitions; Jyni (second from right) when she hosts panel talks; and Elaine (third from the left) at the music events she organises – and they’ve all supported me at my exhibitions in London. When Annie (with red hair) was recently on Netflix’s Dance 100 show as its resident DJ, we all went down to support her by being part of the audience. That was a really fun day.”

“When I was first approached to create this visual essay, I knew immediately that what I portray must truly reflect how it is when my friends and I are together – that sense of Asian happiness we feel,” says Hidhir. “I feel that the visual portrayal of Asian joy is typically quite gloom‑ridden, especially within the Western media context. We’re always seen as the sidekick or supporting act to someone else’s joy. I think that’s why I’ve unconsciously and in understated ways often portrayed Asian joy in my work: because I’m reflecting the reality that I’ve surrounded myself with.”

Party time during “the Slaysians’” trip to Henfield two months ago – besides getting away from city life, the occasion was meant to jointly celebrate the birthdays of (from left) Oh Annie Oh, Hidhir and Ong

This article has been adapted from a story that first appeared in the April 2023 Community Edition of FEMALE