Giraru Galing Ganhagirri at the National Gallery of Australia
Mar
26
to 31 Jul

Giraru Galing Ganhagirri at the National Gallery of Australia

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Giraru Galing Ganhagirri means “The Wind Will bring the Rain” in Wiradjuri. It speaks to the implacable forces of Country:  the assurance that, in Nature, one thing follows another. In these crazy times, I find succour in reflecting on the ancientness and endurance of Country. Whatever happens, the wind will always bring the rain. I am a guest on Kulin Country, and often stand out in storms that arrive here from my home- meteorological songlines that connect us to our countries and to neighbouring nations.

This film work is being made in collaboration with filmmaker James Wright and composer Dan Nixon and has been filmed on Wiradjuri Country. The work was shot at beautiful sites on Wiradjuri Country, selected in dialogue with the Wagga-Wagga elders, and features Joel gently inhabiting Country, and literally painted in the terrain. The work manifests in a gallery space as a seven screen installation arranged with a nod to the ancient oval shapes of Burbang (Ceremonial) grounds.

The first presentation of the work was at the National Gallery of Australia as a part of the 4th National Indigenous Arts Triennial, curated by Hetti Perkins.

More Information.

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Jan
28
to 31 Mar

Biladurang at Dance Massive 19–24 March 2019

Joel Bray is black. Well, he’s white, but black. Y’know? He’s trapped in a hotel room somewhere in Melbourne and you, the audience, are trapped with him. Pull on a bathrobe and share a uniquely immersive and intimate encounter with Bray in the hilarious and revelatory Biladurang.

In this nowhere place Bray takes a pause, looks over his shoulder and takes a good look at his life, asking: ‘Is this where I am supposed to be? Is this who I am supposed to be? What is all this? The drugs? The sex? The cigarettes?’

Biladurang is loosely based on the traditional story of the platypus. It’s a story Bray grew up hearing, identifying with this mutant offspring who doesn’t seem to belong and finds himself roaming in search of a home. This award-winning confessional solo is physical, tender, funny and dark. It’s the perfect dance-theatre one-night stand.

Presented by Arts House as part of Dance Massive 2019

https://dancemassive.com.au/program/biladurang/

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Jan
15
9:30 pm21:30
Events

Biladurang at Sydney Festival

A dark, funny and intimate solo work by dancer, choreographer and proud Wiradjuri man Joel Bray, performed for an up-close, bathrobe-clad audience in a hotel room.

Inspired by a period of upheaval in his life, and loosely based on the Dreamtime story of the Biladurang – the platypus – the winner of Best Performance at the 2017 Melbourne Fringe is a sexy, tender and affectingly autobiographical piece of dance-theatre about heritage, identity and yearning for home.

As a gay man meeting middle-age, a dancer toiling at the peak of his powers and a Wiradjuri man with ties to Israel and country Australia, Bray took a long look at his life and wondered, “Who am I?” In Biladurang, he chases his demons and goes soul-searching in the neutral space of the hotel room, inspiring audience members to chat, drink and dance together as he weaves his story across every part of the room.

“A fraught, voyeuristic intention that is difficult to watch, but impossible to turn away from” – Stage Whispers

A great show is best accompanied with a fantastic feast. Combine your show ticket with a Festival Feasts dining package with Gowings Bar & Grill for $55 + $1 booking fee.

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Sep
1
to 23 Sep
Events

Biladurang at Brisbane Festival

Joel is black. Well, he’s white, but black. Y’know? He’s trapped in a hotel room in Brisbane – the audience trapped with him.

In this nowhere-place he takes a pause and looks over his shoulder. “Is this where I am supposed to be? Is this who I am supposed to be? What is all this? The drugs? The sex? The cigarettes?”

Created and performed by Wiradjuri man Joel Bray and loosely echoing the dreamtime story of the Biladurang – the platypus – this piece of dance-theatre is physical, tender, funny and dark.

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