PLATFORM

Date

Thu 8 - Sun 18 May

Venue

St Heliers Street Gallery
Abbotsford Convent
St Heliers Street Gallery, 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford

An exhibition showcasing PLATFORM - a First Nations-led creative development program for multi-generational choreographers and contemporary dance artists.
Visual Art
Dance
Free
World Premiere

In 2024 Djirri Djirri dancers Mikayla George (Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung, Ngurai Illum Wurrung) and Kiera Hunter (Wurundjeri, Ngurai Illum Wurrung), under the leadership of Dr. Mandy Nicholson (Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung, Ngurai Illum Wurrung), joined choreographers Vicki Van Hout (Wiradjuri), Joel Bray (Wiradjuri), and A Daylight Connection—Carly Sheppard (Takalaka), Kamarra Bell-Wykes (Yagera and Butchulla), and Small Sound to develop and share new contemporary dance works and expressions.

The creative process was documented through photography and interviews, representing the artists' reflections and creative evolution. The resulting visual documentary is an insight into the journey of these choreographers and dancers.

Performance Details

Venue

St Heliers Street Gallery

Abbotsford Convent

St Heliers Street Gallery, 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford


Dates & Times

Thu 8 – Sun 18 May Exhibition hours: Daily 9am–9pm


Tickets

Free, no booking required ACCESSIBILITY ENQUIRIES Venue Phone: (03) 9415 3600 Venue Email: info@abbotsfordconvent.com.au

Photography

,

Artist Information

Dancer

Mikayla George (she/her), Wurundjeri/Dja Dja Wurrung/Ngurai Illum Wurrung


Dancer

Kiera Hunter (she/her), Wurundjeri/Ngurai Illum Wurrung


Cultural Leader and Mentor

Mandy Nicholson (she/her), Wurundjeri/Dja Dja Wurrung/Ngurai Illum Wurrung


Choreographer, Dance Artist

Vicki Van Hout (she/her), Wiradjuri


Choreographer, Dance Artist

Joel Bray (he/him), Wiradjuri


Choreographer, Dance Artist

Carly Sheppard (she/her), Takalaka


Creative Collaborator

Kamarra Bell-Wykes (she/her), Yagera/ Butchulla


Sound Artist, Creative Collaborator

Small Sound (they/them)


Photographer & Visual Artist

Jody Haines (she/her), Palawa


Senior Producer

Geoffrey Masters (he/him), Bidjara


Artist Bio

Jody Haines Jody Haines (Palawa) is a contemporary artist based in Narrm. Her unique practice blends social practice, photo-media (photography/video/film), and public art, creating large-scale public activations that include projections, paste-ups, and street-wide photographic installations. Rooted in Indigenous feminist K/new/Known materialism, Jody's work explores themes of identity, representation, and the female gaze.

The audience will have the option to sit, stand, or move around the immersive space.

  • Accessible Bathroom

  • Accessible Parking

  • Wheelchair Accessible

    Wheelchair Accessible

  • Wheelchair Recharge
  • Baby Change

Platform is an initiative of BlakDance and the Abbotsford Convent made possible with the support of the Australian Government’s Indigenous Languages and Arts Program, the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, Arts House and Dancehouse.

Partners