ImagiNATIONS: United We Stand, Divided We Fall

Extended Play (3 tracks)

Kei Nilsson-Lauw’s second EP, “ImagiNATIONS: United We Stand, Divided We Fall”, is a bold and poignant tribute to the LGBTQ+ community in Southeast Asia, celebrating their resilience in the face of adversity. This three-track EP is a personal and collective anthem, weaving together stories of identity, struggle, and triumph. Inspired by Kei’s own experiences growing up in Indonesia, “ImagiNATIONS: United We Stand, Divided We Fall” takes listeners on a journey of self-discovery, liberation, and unity. The EP starts with “Breaking Borders, Building Dreams”, a powerful track where Kei confronts her inner fears, breaking free from societal restraints and finding the confidence to live her truth.

“Boundless Hearts, United Voices” is the heart of the EP, an anthemic rally cry for unity. Featuring the word “united” in twelve Southeast Asian official languages, this track underscores the power of collective action, symbolising the strength that comes from communities banding together across borders to fight for identity and freedom. The EP reaches its crescendo with “We Are Queer, We Are Here”. This song encapsulates the EP’s themes, building from the struggles of individuals and collective identity to a soaring declaration of pride, freedom, and peace. It is an empowering anthem for the LGBTQ+ community, calling for global recognition of human rights.

Artist

Kei Nilsson-Lauw

Indonesia

Kei Nilsson-Lauw (she/her) is an ethnic Chinese from Indonesia. Holding advanced degrees in medicine, medical anthropology, and environmental psychology within public health, she is a dedicated health researcher and data analyst, recently contributing to ground-breaking work at the World Health Organization (WHO). Alongside her scientific work, Kei is a versatile artist and passionate advocate for human rights. She has spoken at prominent events, such as WorldPride, the Seoul Queer Culture Festival in collaboration with the Embassy of Sweden in Seoul, and seminars hosted by Malmö University and the Church of Sweden.

Kei’s scientific, artistic, and activist paths are closely intertwined. In 2014, she choreographed and performed “Go and Come” in South Korea, funded by a Korean government scholarship. This dance piece evolved into a single, marking the start of her music career. In 2017, she released the EP “CCA (Creativity-Comfort-Awakening)”, designed specifically for Dance Movement and Music Therapy sessions aimed at supporting diverse patient groups. Kei gained wider recognition following her 2024 EP “ImagiNATIONS: United We Stand, Divided We Fall”, which highlighted the LGBTQ+ struggles in Southeast Asia, and was featured at the Southeast Asia Queer Cultural Festival 2024–2025.

Kei’s artistic contributions have been globally recognised, just as her scientific achievements have. Her notable artwork, including the cross-stitch piece “Double Happiness of Mrs & Mrs Penguin”, was featured at major international events such as Lesbian Visibility Week 2021 – an exhibition held by the world’s leading magazine for LGBTQIA women and non-binary people DIVA and an international LGBTQ+ arts festival Homotopia. Through her unique blend of science, art, and activism, Kei continues to inspire and advocate for inclusivity and equality on a global scale.

Fin Kei's works in this link.