GHENOA GELA
Fragments of Malungoka-
Women of the sea
FRAGMENTS OF MALUNGOKA - Women of the Sea
Concept/choreography: Ghenoa Gela
Performers: Elle Evangelista, Melanie Palomares, Melinda Tyquin
Interactive and LX Designer: Toby Knyvett
Music Designer: Ania Reynolds
In Fragments of Malungoka - Women of the Sea, Sydney-based Ghenoa Gela explores her female ancestry in the Western Torres Strait. As a Mainland-born Torres Strait Islander woman, Ghenoa is questioning the role of Traditional Torres Strait Islander Dance when performed by non-Torres Strait dancers and viewed by non-Torres Strait Islander audiences. Ghenoa's work draws on the stories of her female relatives, and recollections of community life. Sharing her culture with an ensemble of women, Ghenoa integrates traditional influences with contemporary movement and technology. Fragments of Malungoka gives the audience permission to play with perspective in the theatre space, whilst momentarily viewing the world through the eyes of a performer caught between two cultures.
GHENOA GELA is a Sydney Independent performing artist and a proud Torres Strait Islander woman from Rockhampton. She has worked across several mediums such as Dance, Circus, Television and Stage. Some of her credits include: Force Majeure Nothing to Lose (Sydney Festival 2015, Melbourne Season 2015), Winds of Woerr (Melbourne Next Wave Festival 2014, Spirit Festival 2015), Dance Site Festival (2012/2015), Move it Mob Style TV Series - Deadly Vibe Australia (ABC3, NITV 2011-2014), My Darling Patricia The Piper (Sydney Festival 2014, Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2015), Circus Oz From the Ground Up (National & International Tour 2012/2013), Shaun Parker Happy As Larry (National & International Tour 2011/2012). Ghenoa facilitates dance workshops in various styles from urban to remote communities and is very inspired by her family's stories and wants to increase awareness of her Torres Strait Islander culture through dance. Ghenoa's most recent adventure, saw her collaborating with Force Majeure's Danielle Micich, on Mura Buai - Everyone, Everyone (Performance Space Liveworks Festival 2015). She aspires to inspire.
Dancehouse, Melbourne - March 2016 - all rights reserved
Documentation by Cobie Orger.