ALWAYS: Call and Response

Responding to Utp's 2024 First and Last provocation and taking place within the exhibition Body Place by Wiradjuri-Scottish artist April Phillips.

Like many practitioners, we are uncomfortable with the ease of returning to normal after global disruption. Drawing on the seminal line "always was, always will be Aboriginal Land" we are paying close attention to who has disrupted power structures and who hasn’t.

Residency Dates: 11-16 March 2024

ARTISTS

Travis De Vries, Gamilaroi/Dharug

Lux Eterna (Dar Zaccak), Palestinian Yafa/Haifa

Feras Shaheen, Palestinian Gaza/ Al Lid

Hazem Shammas, Palestinian Fassouta

Shay Tobin, Dharug

Dubs Yunupingu, Gumatj/Dharug

Artists Projects

Following the residency, each artist in ALWAYS: Call and Response is supported by Utp to realise a self-led project.

Al Pheniq: a performance by Majdi and Seraj Jelda

Curated by Feras Shaheen

Brothers Majdi and Seraj Jelda are highly experienced, Palestinian artists who recently arrived in Australia from Gaza. Bringing their instruments (oud and riq) on their backs all the way from Gaza, they are both ready to connect with new communities through music and dance, to connect with the people who have been fighting for an end to the genocide in Palestine.

During a time of struggle and grief, during a time of collective and consistent action for justice - music and dance are forms of resistance. Resistance in these forms allows us to experience joy with the people that are active in the same fight of disrupting injustice systems that seek to divide us. Joyful defiance. Joyful resilience. 

In sharing Palestinian songs, dance and stories, we keep our culture alive and push back against the attempts of erasure. This event is intended to recharge and to appreciate the communities that have been advocating for Palestine endlessly over the last 9 months. It is them and only them, with whom we can share our music, dance and food, not those who have stayed silent with no action to support the people behind the culture. 

Their cousin Feras Shaheen has curated this event and will be guiding you through the history, stories, and guest acts of the night. See more of Feras's work on his website.

There will be more projects to come, watch this space.

ALWAYS: Call and Response is a part of a suite of year-long programs supporting First Nations-led experimental art. Utp’s 2024 provocation First and Last affirms our strong commitment to First Nations Peoples having the first and last word, now and into the future.

PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.