Image: Jane McKernan
As one of the biggest names in the Australian arts industry, Josephine Ridge is certainly someone Keir Award finalists want to impress.
Ridge is interested in any initiative providing opportunities supporting the development of new work and particularly the work of emerging artists.
She called the ‘incredible wealth of young talent, really striking’ and said the entries highlighted the variety of individual voices and visions of Australia’s up and coming artists.
The eight semi-finalists, to perform at Dancehouse and Carriageworks next month come from a range of multidisciplinary backgrounds.
Sarah Aiken is a Dance graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts. A dancer, teacher and maker, she has received numerous grants and also explores interdisciplinary projects across music, film, fashion and the visual arts.
James Batchelor is a performer, choreographer and installation artist with a focus on site-specific, multi-sensory environmental creations. Having travelled extensively across the world, he is the 2014 Dancehouse Housemate.
Tim Darbyshire has also had several residencies including the Dancehouse Housemate program. A graduate of Queensland University of Technology’s Dance program, he has worked for prestigious choreographers throughout Europe.
Matthew Day studied Dance and Performance Studies at a range of national and international institutions before beginning his exploration of the potential of choreography to imagine unorthodox relationships and propose new ways of being human. Day utilizes a minimalist approach and draws heavily on the visual arts and cinema.
Atlanta Eke has performed throughout Australia and Europe in a variety of formats. Most recently, Eke was nominated for a Green Room Award for her performance in her work ‘Monster Body’ that has been presented across cities in Australia, as well as in Stockholm and Birmingham.
Ridge said the opportunities these artists have to develop their work and have it seen are the two most important facets of the Keir Award. Its focus on cross-disciplinary practices is also unique.
Shaun Gladwell’s artworks engage emerging movement languages such as BMX riding, break dancing and parkour, and are generated from a direct involvement and ongoing personal relationship to urban movement.
Jane McKernan is a choreographer, performer and member of The Fondue Set, an artistic trio with a distinct style, dance language and identity. She was the 2011 Robert Helpmann scholar, and spent six months working in Europe, and has been a part of the Matchpoint Asia Pacific exchange.
Brooke Stamp is a performer, choreographer and teacher engaged in local and international interdisciplinary collaborations. She has collaborated with Phillip Adams BalletLab since its inception and co-curates a dance discourse event ‘First Run’ at Lucy Guerin Inc.
Ridge said the generosity of Phillip Keir and The Keir Foundation in the form of the Keir Award offers a long-term ‘creative response to the practical challenge’ of facilitating the development and presentation of new contemporary dance works, and is very excited to be a part of the jury.
The Keir Choreographic Award Season is at Dancehouse Melbourne 3 – 6 July & 10 – 13 July with the finals at Carriageworks 16 – 19 July.
Visit the Dancehouse and Carriageworks websites for more information.
