Freddy Houndekindo - Becoming Tree

Becoming TreeFreddy Houndekindo (SE, FR) A performative guidewalk to imagine new stories of Black life, labor, and becoming. Freddy Houndekindo invites you to an immersive performance titled Becoming Tree, which unfolds monthly throughout the duration of When We See Us: A Century of Black Figuration in Painting, at Liljevalchs. Rooted in dance and movement, the work turns the performer’s body into a vessel of rhythm, voice, and breath — where labor and recovery coexist in cycles of repetition and renewal. Blending French, English, Fongbe, and sound, the performance celebrates the richness of diasporic expression and frames Black creative production as a holistic practice within a pan-African and global dialogue. Like the sacred tree, it invites visitors to gather, listen and imagine new stories of Black life, labor, and becoming. Created and performed by Freddy HoundekindoAmbassador for Southnord in collaboration with LiljevalchsPhotos by Carlos ZayaSupported by RiksteaternIn collaboration with Southnord Freddy Houndekindo is an interdisciplinary artist situated at the intersection of dance, performance text and installation. His work reflects on subjects such as identity, blackness and masculinity. Through the study and practice of various combat sport Freddy engages in a deep enquiry of male culture, violence and intimacy. Houndekindo is currently completing a Master's in Fine Art at Royal Institute of Art in Stockholm where he is further developing his solo project “Men(d)ing: A speculative archive on contemporary masculinity". He previously danced with Cullberg (2018-2024).Southnord creates space for Black and Afro-Nordic artists to tell their own stories. Through networks, exchange, and collaborations, the initiative works to strengthen artistic voices within the African diaspora in the Nordics and to foster an inclusive environment for diverse perspectives and experiences.Who We Are — Southnord When We See Us is the largest exhibition ever to take Black self-representation as its point of departure. The exhibition brings together works created by Black artists over the past 100 years. The artworks are on loan from 16 different countries and are placed in dialogue with contemporary Black thinkers, writers, and poets. When We See Us - LiljevalchsBecoming Tree is a part of STHLM DANS, an international contemporary dance festival taking place in Stockholm 5-13 May 2026. https://sthlmdans.se