Olivia Onuk: When I first began developing Seen / Unseen, I knew that the exhibition wasn’t just about the work we see on the walls or hear in performance—it was also about the quiet in-between moments: the hesitation before a brushstroke, the decision to share something personal, the tension of being perceived. Light and shadow became central to this exploration, both literally and metaphorically.
To bring this vision to life, I knew I wanted to collaborate with a light artist whose work could hold the subtlety, intimacy, and nuance the exhibition calls for. Michaela van Beinum (MvB) was the first person I thought of. Her ability to balance softness and structure, engineering and intuition, felt like exactly what this exhibition needed.
In line with that collaboration, I asked Michaela a few questions about her practice, how it connects to the exhibition, and what she hopes audiences will take away from the experience.
OO: What initially drew you to working with light and shadow, and how do you see that translating into the context of Seen / Unseen?
Michaela van Beinum: While studying engineering, I often struggled to merge my technical and artistic passions. Discovering light art changed that. It became the perfect medium—where my technical side handles the wiring, coding, and structure, and my artistic eye guides placement, colour, shadow, and reflection. The constant balance of light and darkness is what makes my practice playful and ever-changing.
In Seen/Unseen I aim to reveal the often-unseen dimensions of the artistic process—the vulnerability, self-reflection, and inner struggle that accompany creation. I want to invite others into the quiet moments behind the work: the questioning, the doubt, the intimacy of making something personal and then offering it to the public eye. By shedding light on the hidden aspects of the artist within their work, I hope to create a space of connection—where the process is as present as the final piece, and where both artist and viewer can reflect on what it means to truly be seen.
OO: This exhibition is about the paradox of visibility, how does your practice engage with those ideas? What excited you about collaborating on this project?
MvB: My art practice centres on illuminating what’s often overlooked. In my own work, this takes shape through the use of microchips—small circuits hidden inside the devices we interact with daily. In collaborations, I’m often brought in to enhance other artists' work through immersive lighting and design.
Being invited to contribute to Pique, a festival that uplifts local artists, is a true honour. Seen / Unseen excites me because it allows me to build a space that is immersive, calming, and deeply inviting. Through intentional placement of materials and light, I aim to draw viewers into their own quiet journey, connecting with each piece from all angles. In doing so, I hope to shift the focus from just the finished surface to the deeper process behind the work—the unseen becoming seen.
OO: Without giving too much away, what’s one feeling, shift, or moment you hope people walk away with after experiencing your contribution to the space?
MvB: I hope people have unique experiences connecting with the incredible works within the collection. The artists that Olivia has curated are incredibly talented, and it is an honour to be a part of displaying them. I hope that people walk away with an understanding that creating art is so much more than putting a paintbrush to a canvas or words to a page—it is a deeply profound discovery of self through external mediums. It deserves to be uplifted and supported within our communities as a reflection of our human experience.
OO: We can’t wait for you to experience this. Join us on June 7th at Pique to step into the space, slow down, and see for yourself.
Olivia Onuk is an interdisciplinary artist, curator, and storyteller. Her work is rooted in the truth of art as therapy, as a tool for a connection and making sense of trauma. It centers on care, connection, and the human desire to create. Through poetry, visual art, and participatory installations, Olivia examines visibility, identity, and the meaning-making potential of art in individual and collective healing.
Michaela van Beinum is an electrical engineer, light artist, and abstract painter with a passion for blending art, nature, and technology. Michaela pushes the boundaries of traditional artistic expression, crafting unique experiences through the fusion of projections, code, recycled materials, paintings, and limitless inspiration.
MvB
Where to catch MvB at Pique
Media and Lighting design for Seen / Unseen, curated by Olivia Onuk
Opening June 7 at Pique, Seen / Unseen is a single-day, multidisciplinary exhibition and artist talkback exploring the paradox of visibility for Black artists, curated by Olivia Onuk. Seen / Unseen examines the complex relationship Black artists have with visibility—how being seen can be affirming, but also leaves one vulnerable to misinterpretation, surveillance, and commodification. Through performance, storytelling (music and poetry), media, and visual art, the exhibition invites attendees into a space where seeing and being seen becomes an active, dynamic exchange.
Where: Atelier and Microcinema, Arts Court
When: Saturday, June 7, 14:00-0:00
VJing for DJs and live electronic performances
MvB will provide live visuals for performances by Gothbitch, Prado Monroe and lilfr1dge.
Where: Alma Duncan, Arts Court
When: Saturday, June 7, 21:00-23:30, 0:30-2:00