Liz Lea is currently in residence at QL2 Dance Inc with Indigenous dance artist Tammi Gissell. They are researching a new solo dance work titled ‘Seeking Biloela’,  based around the Black Cockatoo, or Biloela. This new work brings together dance, design, science, Indigenous cultures, history and community – all through the world of flight. The project is a collaboration with the National Library of Australia (NLA) and CSIRO Discovery where Liz is currently Choreographer in Residence.

Tammi is an Indigenous dance artist who has worked at NAISDA and ACPA and is now an Associate Artist with Blakdance. She has strong links with Canberra, and is an advisor to QL2 for our 2013 Indigenous project “Hit the Floor Together”. As part of this project she has also led workshops at QL2 and Canberra Dance Theatre.

The black cockatoo is a well recognised Australian bird that is both endangered while also holding many mythological and traditional stories under their wings. Biloela is an Indigenous name of the Black Cockatoo. Liz first came across the name when she was on Cocktoo Island and was struck by the imagery and pathos of the island, which was named Biloela until 1913. Tammi has performed there as a solo female artist – a challenge as the Island is recognised as ‘men’s territory’.

There will be an in-progress showing of Biloela  as part of the CSIRO Canberra Family Science Spectacular 2012: Saturday 11 August 2012 @ 12pm. CSIRO Discovery, Clunies Ross Street, Acton ACT 2601. Free Admission.