Julia MAGE'AU GRAY
QAGOMA > What's On > Exhibitions > Past Exhibitions > The 8th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT8) > Artists > Julia MAGE'AU GRAY
Mekeo people
Born 1973, Mekeo Area, Central Province,
Papua New Guinea
Lives and works in Darwin, Australia
Julia Mage'au Gray is a dancer, choreographer, tattooist, photographer and film-maker who is interested in exploring her Papuan and Mekeo heritage within an urban Australian context. Her performances frequently combine dance with evocative video narratives. Now based in Darwin, Gray co-founded the performance group Sunameke in 1997. Dress or adornment, including the marking of the body with tatu (tattoo), is often of particular significance in her performances and films. Best foot forward 2011 features Gray's sister Yolanda walking along an Australian road dressed in a Mekeo skirt customarily worn for performance, which contrasts with her red high heels. Mage'au Gray also features in APT8's Yumi Danis (We Dance) performance project.
GOMA LEVEL 3
Gallery 3.3

Watch Julia Mage’au Gray and Sunameke for a contemporary dance performance that engages with her Mekeo heritage and the Yumi Danis (We Dance) performance project..

Julia Mage'au Gray, Mekeo people, Papua New Guinea/Australia b.1973 / Best foot forward (still) 2011 / Single-channel HD video projection: 2:26 minutes (looped), colour, sound / Purchased 2015. Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery / © The artist.