Shadows United is a collective of Rotterdam-based artists, both with and without residence papers. Through theatre, visual art, and community projects, they give voice to those living in the shadows of the city — people navigating life between darkness and light. Using methods from the Theatre of the Oppressed, the collective creates performances and installations that explore identity, belonging, and resilience beyond the label of “undocumented.”

During the pandemic, Shadows United founded the temporary Shadow Museum and created an audio tour that allows listeners to experience the city through their eyes. Their art — including the exhibition Do You See Us Now? — is both a form of healing and a call for recognition, inviting the public to truly see and hear the people who make up Rotterdam.