HOSSEI x Niki

HOSSEI and Niki have collaborated on three major interdisciplinary projects: ESSSENSSSE (2024) , THUNDERBLOOM-LIVE (2025), and TOO~B (2026). HOSSEI’s practice deals with his complex heritage, fantasies and feelings, togetherness, healing, he adopts themes of secrecy, the unconscious, theatricality and mysticism to create surreal scenarios through real and imagined characters. Recently his work looks at his mother as a subject, entering her psyche and telling her life experiences and stories. The works often involve colourful elaborate costumes, music, and performance. Niki works with HOSSEI as composer, sound designer, musician, and performer.

ESSSENSSSE

ESSSENSSSE is an aquatic ecosystem that explores the tenacity of the human spirit, stripping away corporeal human qualities and revealing what’s underneath. ESSSENSSSE is the third instalment to what HOSSEI calls his “sister shows,” O, presented at UTS Gallery & Art Collection (NSW) in 2023, and later THUNDERBLOOM at West Space (VIC) in 2023. Where O focused on the physical body, being up in the air and in transit, and THUNDERBLOOM looked at the human psyche, the weather in the mind, a stormy night – ESSSENSSSE is the next morning, the BODY, MIND, SPIRIT after a big night, looking at the sea for new beginnings.

Niki Johnson composed and performed live vibraphone music for this show to express the personalities of each costume and character. 

ESSSENSSSE premiered at Verge Gallery, Sydney (2024) and is on a regional tour 2025-6 including performances in Bathurst Regional Art Gallery, Coffs Art Gallery, and Wagga.

Purchase and listen to the live music composed by Niki Johnson for ESSSENSSSE here

Also see:

THUNDERBLOOM-LIVE (2025)- Performance at Carriageworks Performance Space with music co-composed by HOSSEI, Harri Harding and Niki Johnson.

TOO~B (2026)- A colourful,touchable, wearable play space created by artist HOSSEI for children aged 0-12. Sound design and composition by Niki Johnson with assistance from Victoria Pham.