During social distancing in 2020, Darwin multi-artist Cj Fraser-Bell undertook a residency in Darwin’s Parks, Laneways and Gardens.

This residency considered the many interactions and interventions that can and do take place in these public spaces. Cj questioned what physical evidence of ephemeral moments could look like, how it might accumulate, be manipulated, and in tern, how this could impact our interaction with space and similarly, space’s interraction with us.

As part of their research, Cj collected photos of each site, shown below.

Alf Blasser Park

Anula Greenbelt

Cullen Bay

Easther Park

Wanguri park

Malak Greenbelt

In 2019 Ben Graetz undertook a residency devising his new work, RAIIN, a cabaret about his experience as a Gay Aboriginal man, and the experiences of other Queer Aboriginal Men in Australia. Ben was joined by 6 collaborating artists from across Australia, Guy Simon, Joel Bray, Kaine Sultan-Babij, Dale Woodbridge-Brown, and Scott Campbell, with Musical Director Michael Tan. These artists spent a week exploring the themes of the work and generating ideas, songs, monologues and dances to inform future creative developments. The residency culminated in a showing of the work in progress to invited members of the LGBTQIA+ and Aboriginal communities.

Larrakia Elder Gary Lang supported this project with a welcome to country and as a cultural consultant to Ben, and Crystal Love supported the project as Community Cultural Consultant.

Finding the familiar on the other side of the world

"It was about being able to bring an artist that I thought would be really excited about learning about the Indigenous textiles and then also be able to share a pretty rare and beautiful way of making textiles."

Read the full article at ABC News

Lisa Waup reflected on the Residency in Off the Leash magazine

“It was a very intense time and such a soul revealing topic, yet what unfolded that week was truly magical and a great test within myself, and Weniki also”

Read more at Off the Leash

Holly reflected on her Residency in Off the Leash magazine

“I felt and feel connected to this studio of artists through our shared language of clay, a language that they speak deftly, and with an expressiveness that delighted and inspired me.”

Read more at Off the Leash

Matthew undertook a two week residency at ACCOMPLICE in September 2018 working between Mayfair Gallery and the Darwin Botanical Garden.

Matthew Day is interested in the potential of choreography to imagine unorthodox relationships and propose new ways of being human. Utilizing a minimalist approach, Day works with duration and repetition, approaching the body as a site of infinite potential and choreography as a field of energetic intensity and exchange.

Ben Graetz is a local Garrmalang/Darwin man and descendant of the Iwaidja and Malak Malak Clans. He undertook a residency with Tiwi Sista Girls - Shaun aka Shaniqua Kerinaiua and Crystal Love - which explored the lived experience of Indigenous LGBTIQA+ people, particularly those in remote NT communities.

In 2018 this project included filmed interviews, elder consultation, development of performances and community conversations, culminating in a week of events at Wurrumiyanga/Nguiu on Bathurst Island. Future projects in this initiative could include: Queer Black Cabaret, Shaniqua The Show and remote NT engagement with LGBTIQA+ and their communities.

The aims of the Queer Blak Project will continue over coming years building on knowledge and ideas from the development year.

QUEER BLAK CABARET

In 2019 Ben Graetz undertook initial creative developments for a new queer black cabaret working with Aboriginal Queer artists from across Australia. RAIIN had it’s first stage development with 6 creatives from around Australia spending a week in Darwin devising this new work with Ben.

SHANIQUA THE SHOW

Planning commenced in 2019 for Shaun aka Shaniqua Kerinaiua to begin creating their one-person show exploring the life and experiences of Shaun and Shaniqua. Shaun is committed to highlighting the stories of Aboriginal Queer people living in remote Australia.

REMOTE NT ENGAGEMENT

WITH LGBTIQA+ AND THEIR COMMUNITIES

We will continue to develop programs that support, engage and respond to the needs of LGBTIQA+ remote Indigenous people. Through programs that specifically for and with LGBTIQA+ people while also working the broader community to build understanding and resilience.

Opening Celebration

The star-studded Arafura Opening Celebration includes a special Larrakia Welcome and showcases some of the Northern Territory’s greatest First Nation’s musicians, local artists, community and cultural groups. Closing the evening out with award-winning hip hop artist, the Fresh Prince of Arnhem Land, Baker Boy.

Featuring:

Larrakia Welcome
Larrakia community Elders, Adults and youth, David Kurnoth, Dotti Fejo, Eytahnyia Scott, Gary Lang, Kay Villaflor, Kenbi Dancers, Leah Flanagan, Liam Stansfield, Lorraine Williams, Lynette Fejo, North Wind Didj Orchestra, Mary Williams, Maureen Family, NT Dance Company, O’Laughlin Catholic College Choir (recorded), Patricia Kurnoth, Richard Fejo, Shaun Lee, Shellie Morris, Tibby Quall, Tony Lee, Trent Lee

Arafura Nations Showcase
Chung Wah Society Dragon and Lion Dance Troupe, Passion of the Pacific, Kribati Cultural Group, Kultura Dance Collective, Sri Lankan Multicultural Dance Academy, Tunas Mekar Balinese Cultural Collective, Loto Taha, Moale Dance Group of Papua New Guinea and NT Thai Association Inc

Let’s Celebrate
Baker Boy

General
Stage and Fencing Design – Kay Villaflor, Hair and Make Up - DMKM Beauty Studios, Fireworks – KC’s Fireworks Displays

Closing Celebrations

The Arafura Closing Celebrations is a distinctive tribute to the Arafura Sea and its people. The program platforms schools, local dance companies and some of the Northern Territory’s finest musicians, Shellie Morris, Leah Flanagan, Stevie Jean and Skinnyfish Sound System.

Featuring:

MC
Lisa Pellegrino

Mother Arafura
Shellie Morris, Leah Flanagan, Stevie Jean, Djolpa McKenzie, Michael Tan, Kingsley Oldmeadow and the True Colours Choir

Parade of the Sea
Aly de Groot and the Groote Eylandt Weavers, and participating schools (Darwin Middle School, Nightcliff Primary School, Casuarina Senior College, St John’s Catholic College, Milner Primary, Marrara Christian College, Palmerston College)

We Are One
Rix Kix Arts, Express Studios, Darwin Gymnastics

Let the Party Begin!
Skinnyfish Sound System

General
Stage and Fencing Design – Kay Villaflor, Site Design (Sculptures) – facilitated by Aly de Groot and the Groote Eylandt Weavers, Wardrobe – Provenance with Injalak Arts Fabrics and Tina McCourt from Dance World, Hair and Make Up - DMKM Beauty Studios, Fireworks – KC’s Fireworks Displays

Rehearsal Images