PIAF artist-in-residence Claire Cunningham  with dancer Laura Boynes.
Matt Jelonek         d449973
Camera IconPIAF artist-in-residence Claire Cunningham with dancer Laura Boynes. Matt Jelonek        d449973 Credit: Supplied/Matt Jelonek        d449973

Dancer leaps at chance to join artist’s master class

Jessica NicoStirling Times

Ms Boynes was one of just 16 performers from Australia selected to participate in an intensive, week-long master class with Scottish artist Claire Cunningham at the Fremantle Town Hall last week.

Cunningham used the event to share her creative ideas and unique choreographic approach.

A self-identified artist with a disability, Cunningham incorporates her crutches into her choreography and was in Fremantle as part of an artist-in-residence stint with the Perth International Arts Festival.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Boynes, who works with disabled artists in the DADAA stARTSPEAK program, said as soon as she found out about the masterclass, she knew she had to apply.

“Claire is very renowned and we’re all very inspired by her so I think everyone can say that they’re quite honoured to be here,” she said.

“I would like to find new methods and ways of creating work with the artists I work with through DADAA and I’d also like to find ways of making my other work, my own choreographic work outside of that, more accessible.”

Cunningham said she was working on raising the profile of disabled artists and increasing access to the arts for audiences with a disability during her visit.

“We’re looking to address support and the development of skills for artists with disabilities, which in Australia I think is still something that is looking for a lot more support and development,” she said.