Arts and Disability Initiative 2022-24

Yousef Alreemawi, VIC

Bruno Booth, WA

Marc Brew, NSW

Acclaimed International disabled choreographer Marc Brew trained as a professional dancer at the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School and The Australian Ballet School. He has been working Internationally for over 24 years as a director, choreographer, dancer, teacher and speaker. Marc was Associate Director with Scottish Dance Theater, Associate Artistic Director with Ballet Cymru in Wales, Associate Artist in 2015 at Tramway Theater in Scotland and Artistic Director of AXIS Dance Company 2017-2021. Marc has been commissioned to create works for dance companies including Scottish Ballet, Candoco Dance Company, Hessisches Staatsballett, San Francisco Ballet, CODA/Den Norske Opera & Ballet, Dancing Wheels, AXIS Dance Company and Infinity Dance Theater. For more information visit: www.marcbrew.com 

Hugo Flavelle

“I am a 23 year old multidisciplinary artist who uses a wheelchair as a structure to support physical independence and artistic practice.

I work with drawing, film, sound and projection, often combining all to experiment with concepts and ideas. My ideas tend to grow from sound and storytelling.

I enjoy imagining a world I can move about in with freedom and am drawn to dogs and cars which seem to be the loudest things in my immediate neighbourhood.

I have been developing as a multidisciplinary artist since 2017 when I made a short film, WOOF, which included the creation of an original soundtrack using sampling from local dogs (with their and their owners’ permissions). Following on from WOOF I worked on an Australia Council funded projects, Mixed Reality (2017-18) and SEVEN in (2020-21), to create sound and lens-based works evolving into my WONDERCHAIR.

Using my WONDERCHAIR I created photographic works for the CLAIMING SPACE exhibition with Sam Kerr for 10 Nights In Port in Fremantle (August 2022).

At the same time, I was selected for Performing Lines WA’s Kolyang Lab and Hub working with Lead Mentor, Carolione Bowditch.”

Dan Graham, NSW

Dan Graham is a young director. He holds BA, MCA (Theatre), specialising in directing, from UTAS and Honours in Performance Studies from The University of Sydney. For his Honours paper he focused on the playwright’s intent and how this is realised in the director’s vision. For this, as it had an Australian focus, he interviewed over twenty five Australian directors and playwrights, many of whom had collaborated on new works. He enjoys working on a play and bringing new perspectives to the performance whilst remaining true to the playwright’s/artist’s intent.”

Julian Jaensch, SA

Julian has been in the arts industry for over twenty years. Completing his training at the Centre for Performing Arts (now ACArts) in 1999, Julian has worked extensively with Adelaide theatre companies including Chopt Logic and Michael Allen Productions. Initially trained as a dancer, Julian choreographed Centrelink the Musical for the 2008 Adelaide Fringe and 2009 Melbourne Fringe festivals.  

 While working at Autism SA in 2009 Julian launched an all-autistic theatre company – Company AT. In 2012 Julian moved Company AT under the umbrella of Tutti Arts. Julian was writer and director of Company AT’s works Framed Out and History of Autism and directed Impersonal Space. Since at Tutti Julian has also expanded the company with a theatre workshop program for young people aged 13-17 years. 

 Julian’s directorial style is dynamic in its physicality and he has a unique way of immersing the audience in the content. Julian takes a lateral approach to teaching Autistic actors making abstract concepts concrete and easy to understand and then relating them back to script. Julian will continue to use Company AT as a vehicle for social change for people on the Autism Spectrum.   

Lesley Murray, WA

I create art based on my Aboriginal heritage. It helps me greatly with knowing who I am and where I come from. It helps me connect with my Anaiwin culture, Traditional Custodians of the New England area of NSW. While I live in Western Australia, and experience the wonders of the Pilbara, I am strong in my identity and proud to be part of the oldest living culture in the world. My art is also an experimental journey in media/mediums to tell the stories from my childhood along with my inspirations from everyday life – being a mother and a creative woman in my own right. I also believe art helps build good mental health by freeing the mind of the everyday stresses of life by letting you rest and connect to your creative side. Whilst working in several jobs with various community service sector agencies over the years I have always found ways to use my passion for art as a tool to connect to Elders, families, communities, and all walks of life, from the littles ones to adults. It works to uplift oneself and inspires good feelings in people whilst it strengthens families and communities. My involvement in the Pilbara is ongoing both as an independent artist and as a member of Wangaba Roebourne Aboriginal Art Group. Unfortunately, I suffered a stroke on Christmas Day 2020 and, for now, I am based in Perth with family members whilst I undergo continuing rehabilitation. Remastering my fine motor skills is a priority for me – mentally, emotionally, and physically – as artistic expression is such a fundamental part of what makes me, me. Art as therapy has always been something I believe is an essential part of the wholistic healing process and in this season, it has been a godsend for me as I explore completely new ways of expressing my creativity. Watch this space😊 While in Perth I have been invited to Beananing Kwuurt Institute, 188 Treasure Road Queens Park, I am helping build the profile of the centre in the creative and cultural art space. A place previously known as Sister Kate’s Children’s Home. Place Aboriginal children were removed to from the families to live. Although initially to help Aboriginal families. I am now the Art Director on a volunteer basis and a Director on the Board. I do best I can with my stroke deficits.

Melinda Smith, VIC

Dr Melinda Smith OAM is a dancer, poet and visual artist who lives with cerebral palsy and relies primarily on speech-generating devices to communicate. Melinda performed her first solo work Spasmotive as a part of her residency with the Women*s Circus in 2018, and has performed dance pieces internationally. In 2020, Melinda became a Director of the Board of the Women*s Circus,” where she is also a founding member of their inclusive ensemble, Momentum. In 2023, Melinda will be Artist in Residence at Victorian College of the Arts, located in the School of Dance.

Amanda Tink, NSW

Amanda Tink is a blind and neurodivergent creative, personal and academic essayist. Her essays have been published in a range of venues including Sydney Review of Books, Overland, ArtsHub, Seizure, Wordgathering, Australian Literary Studies, and Southerly. She lives in front of her laptop and braille display with good coffee nearby and tweets at @amandatink.

Dr Ken Thaiday

Dr Ken Thaiday is an artist and a very proud Torres Strait Islander from Darnley Island.

He now resides in Cairns with his family, where he currently does all his artwork from home.

Dr Ken Thaiday has many artworks available for viewing in galleries in Australia and overseas. His passion for his artwork has taken him around the world to share his culture.