Gibidem YourStyle! was a two-year access and participation program (2015-16) which positioned remote community workshops alongside the tours of Marrugeku’s productions Gudirr Gudirr and Cut the Sky into remote and very remote Kimberley communities: Broome, Fitzroy Crossing, Mowanjum/Derby and Ardyaloon. The program aimed to demonstrate in practical ways a connection which we consider critical in our work. That is the link between staging of live professional performance which addresses significant local issues of climate change and industrialisation (in the case of Cut the Sky) and of suicide in the Kimberley (in the case of Gudirr Gudirr) with workshops that share methodologies of creating contemporary dance. These were supported by a wellbeing program presented by Alive and Kicking Goals. This approach from three directions proved to be a successful model in demonstrating potential career pathways with a cultural, artistic and community focus.
During workshops, in consultation with our cultural advisors, key community members were identified and invited to discuss concepts along with young cultural leaders regarding using contemporary forms to convey traditional and historic stories, while demonstrating the complexities of staging traditional dance and story in contemporary settings.
Enabling dialogue around the holding onto traditional forms while considering new forms of storytelling allows the next generation of storytellers in the Kimberley the means to express their concerns and aspirations for the future in search for sustainable ways to carry our culture forward.
Funded by The Regional Arts Fund through Country Arts WA and Marrugeku’s donor program 2015 and 2016.
Partnerships: Alive and Kicking Goals Women’s Reference Group, Broome Senior High School, St Mary’s High School and the Wirrpanda Foundation Deadly Sista Girls Program, Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Fitzroy Crossing in partnership with Garnduwa and KALACC’s Yiriman Women’s group and Mowanjum Arts and Culture Centre.