Tanya Turner
Finding Myself Through Movement
3 to 7 July and 1 to 5 August 2023

I will be using my time in this creative space to discover myself and the language of my body, as an artist and a dancer with a disability. I will be working both on my own, and also with Tara Brandel as my mentor and dance colleague. We will be dancing, experimenting with different kinds of interactive movements, focusing on the 'feeling, animal body' and acknowledging our primal connection to each other, the environment and how different types of bodies can interplay, balance and support one another. We will also be working on aerial, experimenting with hoops and pole, possibly even silks, as I have used these before but would love to develop them more. I will also be experimenting with this same aerial apparatus on my own. I am excited to try all of the above, but am also nervous about a) My stamina and ability to pace myself enough not to 'burn out' or to injure myself, b) To not 'waste' my time there but make the best of this opportunity! and c) My ability to organise and budget everything wisely, in order to get the help and assistance I need as a person with a disability.

I will be keeping a personal account/blog of my experience, but would also like to engage in a podcast and/or informal interviews with myself, Tara Brandel and others involved in my artist's residency, sharing that with the public during or after the experience.

As a leg amputee since October 2017, I am still learning how to celebrate being in my body. Joining Croi Glan in 2020 really helped me regain confidence in myself as a dancer with a disability. We performed as a group three times in 2021 at the Port of Cork Midsummer Festival, and Skibbereen arts festival. Other projects I've collaborated on include 'Phoenix Wings', a short dance film celebrating felt wings made by disabled artist, Nikki Collier. I have been studying aerial with Hannah Gumbrielle since 2021 at Taking Flight Studio in Dublin, and have also taken online lessons with Erin Ball, a double amputee circus artist, as part of receiving the Agility Award in 2022.

YouTube @tanyaturner4465

WCAC acknowledges the financial support of the Arts Council and Cork County Council in making these residencies possible.