Artist Statement
Artist Profile
It is up to us to determine which impact we will impart upon a world that is crying for help. Often, this is one of the most difficult things to achieve while staying true to our own nature. Denise Onen’s existence as a multicultural African, queer individual is rooted in serving as an active cultural practitioner, with a demonstrated history of contribution to collaborative sonic works across a variety of performance mediums.
Onen has been primarily dedicated to projects that have raised awareness around social issues and triumphs, empowered local communities, and held space for marginalised bodies. Notably, Onen was a shortlisted nominee for the 2022 International Oram Award for feminine-bodied innovators in sound, music, and associated technology.
Onen's practical and academic dedication has empowered her to explore creative pursuits across a diverse range of disciplines, including composition, mixing and mastering engineering, production, recording, performance, and her preferred role as a sound designer—thus, earning her the title of an "audio alchemist."
Her exemplary performance is demonstrated through featured works and collaborations at events among the likes of the National Arts Festival (2023, 2022); Sundance International Film Festival (2022) - nomination: Jury Prize for Best Short Film; Dak'Art - Biennale de l'Art Africain Contemporain (2022); Durban International Film Festival, winning Best South African Short (2022); Encounters South African International Documentary Festival (2021), as well as the Cairo International Film Festival (2021), winning Best Southern African Documentary.

Photo: Lorin Sookool
Artist Features
As a cultural practitioner much of my work is centred around collaboration and with this pushing the boundaries of creativity.
At its core, my artistic aspiration is to evolve alongside the expansive field of sound. This pursuit entails a perpetual journey of personal growth, learning from and collaborating with fellow artists and creators. Through this ongoing process, my primary goal is to curate meaningful experiences that resonate deeply with both myself and the audience. Even if I fall short of achieving this objective, my intention remains to provoke thought, inspire introspection, and positively challenge those engaging with my work.
Featured Performer
Vocals
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Performance Feature, Bloom (a gentle erosion), Dakar Biennale, Senegal, 2022
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Exhibition by Mia Thom
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Featured Artist
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Featured Artist, Surviving Solitude (Immersive Sound Art Piece) – ICA UnInfecting the City Public Arts Festival, 2021
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Featured Artist, So Creative Summit (Digital Storytelling Exhibition) – British Council, 2021
Featured Sound Artist
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Featured Sound Artist, Our Bodies are Clocks Made of Water, LAPA Residence, Johannesburg, 2021
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Exhibition by Blk Banana
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Featured Performer
Vocals + Keyboard + Electronics
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Performer, "Taking Root in the Flesh" – The Mutha_Ship Landing, Cape Town, 2021
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In collaboration with Dumama
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Featured Performer
Backing Vocals + Synth + Electronics
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Performer, Pushing Portals – The Mutha_Ship Landing, Found Sound Nation, 2021
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In collaboration with Dumama, Jannous Aukema, and Kamil Hassan.
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Experience
Onen has been dedicated to projects that have raised awareness, empowered local communities, and held space for marginalised bodies. Onen was a shortlisted nominee for the 2022 International Oram Award for feminine-bodied innovators in sound, music, and associated technology.
Onen’s practical and academic dedication has enabled her to engage in creation in a range of disciplines as a composer, mixing and mastering engineer, producer, recordist, as well as sound designer. Her exemplary performance is demonstrated through featured works and collaborations at events among the likes of the National Arts Festival (2022); Sundance International Film Festival (2022); Dak'Art - Biennale de l'Art Africain Contemporain (2022); Durban International Film Festival, winning Best South African Short (2022); Encounters South African International Documentary Festival (2021), as well as the Cairo International Film Festival (2021), winning Best Southern African Documentary.
COMPOSITION
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Siyamphimbili – Commissioned by Dr. Pearl Shangkuan, Calvin University Honor Choir (Choral Work), 2022
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Composer, I AM – Sportscene RSA - Haneem Christian (Advertisement), 2022
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Composer, Sithi Aba, - KAMVA Collective + Norval Foundation, (Short Film), 2022
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Composer, Prayers for Sweet Water – British Film Institute CT (Documentary), 2021
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Featured Composer, SA New Music Concert – Music Department of North-West University, 2021
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Composer, Botho with RoxyMaRosa – UCT TV/ CTV TV/ DSTV (Theme Song), 2018
SOUND DESIGN, SOUNDSCAPE
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Sound Designer, All my Ex-Lovers are Dead – Dara Beth (Stage Play), 2022
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Sound Designer, I AM – Sportscene RSA (Advertisement), 2022
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Composer/Sound Designer, Delela - Tiisetso Mashifane wa Noni, (Stage Play), 2022
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Sound Designer, Deliver Me – Paper Crane Collective (Documentary), 2021
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Sound Designer, Prayers for Sweet Water – British Film Institute, CT (Documentary), 2021
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Sound Designer, Still Bloom – Zoey Black Productions (Documentary), 2021
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Soundscape Creation, Bienvenue A Ma Table – For Elijah Ndoumbe, Forecast Forum, 2020
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Sound Editor, Empatico Experience – Empatico & UMUZI, 2019
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Soundscape Creation/Sound Editor, Held (Exhibition by Amanda Rybicka), Creative Change Laboratory, 2019
MIXING &
MASTERING
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Mix Engineer, I AM – Sportscene RSA (Advertisement), 2022
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Mix Engineer, The SenseMaker Project – ACDI, Western Cape Water Caucus, UCT (Documentary), 2022
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Mix Engineer, City Occupied – Lionfish Productions (Documentary: Housing Crisis), 2022
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Mix Engineer, Decentralising Music Making in South Africa – Stiff Pap/Umuzi (Documentary), 2022
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Mix & Mastering Engineer, Deliver Me – Paper Crane Collective (Documentary), 2021
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Mix & Mastering Engineer, Prayers for Sweet Water – British Film Institute CT (Documentary), 2021
Education
2023 - Present
University of Cape Town
MMus
Masters of Music in Musicology
Supervisor: Theo Herbst
Focus is in the Electroacoustic branch of Musicology. Exploring techniques for Graphic Notation and Analysis.
2014 - 2018
University of Cape Town,
South African College of Music
BMus
Bachelor of Music - Specialising in Music Technology
(distinction in Music Technology)
2018 - Recipient of SAMRO Bursary