Watch 12 short films by Scottish East and South East Asian Creatives

This month, we're taking an in-depth look at Scottish East and South East Asian creativity. Sean Wai Keung talks to nine SESEA creatives in the wake of a difficult year in so many ways, asking people from across the arts about staying inspired, breaking barriers and building solidarity.

To accompany Sean's piece, we've put together a series of short videos from East and South East Asian creatives, all responding to the prompt: ‘How does your identity influence your creativity?’ The videos are available to watch on our YouTube channel; here they are, all in one place, offering an insight into Scottish East and South East Asian creativity and identity in 2021.

Tommy Ga-Ken Wan

Glasgow photographer Tommy Ga-Ken Wan reflects on his family background, his Hong Kong heritage, and how it informs his creative process. tommygakenwan.com

Anna Cheung

Anna reflects on how she came to find her voice as a writer. Anna’s full-length debut poetry collection, Where Decay Sleeps, is released in September 2021 via Haunt Publishing. Follow Anna on Twitter at @annasmcheung

Taylor Roh

Musician and playwright Taylor Roh discusses her creative work, and the ways in which it is influenced by her time spent in Korea, the USA and Scotland. Follow Taylor on Twitter @taylorroh_sings / taylorroh.com

Maisie Chan

Author and screenwriter Maisie Chan discusses the importance of representation for Asian characters and creators in the media. Maisie’s new book, Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths, is released in June 2021 via Piccadilly Press. maisiechan.com

Sarah Kwan

Edinburgh-based artist Sarah Kwan shares the process behind her Aye & Brew Tea Set illustration. Video by Sarah Kwan; follow Sarah on Instagram @sarahkwanartist. Find out more about Sarah's work at sarahkwan.co.uk

Mamoru Iriguchi

Mamoru presents an extract of Zoom Dark Mode (2020), an experimental theatre piece originally broadcast on Tramway TV during the 2020 lockdown. Find out more about Mamoru's work at iriguchi.co.uk

Sean Wai Keung

Glasgow-based writer Sean Wai Keung reads his poem, 'tinto tapas', taken from his collection sikfan glaschu out now via Verve Poetry Press. Follow Sean on Twitter at @seanwaikeung

Lisa Li

Lisa Li shares reflections on place and identity in this short film.

Lyly Lepinay

Writer Lyly Lepinay shares her thoughts on writing in response to our prompt: ‘How does your identity influence your creativity?’, reflecting on her upbringing in Buckie in the northeast of the country.

Chris Manson

Comic book and graphic artist Chris Manson discusses his work, and the ways in which his Hakka identity influences his creativity. Video by Chris Manson; follow Chris on Twitter at @ChrisLauManson / chrislaumanson.co.uk

Clarinda Tse

Artist Clarinda Tse shares her piece 'raindrops' – "Fluid impressions, meshes of definitions, transparent reactions, just-holding pockets, see-through hand" in the pondering of moving through from identity to creativity. Find out more about Clarinda at clarindatse.com

Chi Zhang

Edinburgh-based Chinese Calligraphy and Brush Painting artist Chi Zhang produces a painting of the city's iconic landscape. chizhangartist.com