Special Projects

Woman Incognito

Where does she come from? Where does she go? Escaping her time on the edge of a rope, she follows a map - freshly scratched, halfway around the globe. She’s all at sea. This is a story of lost northern souls floating into southern lands. A very personal journey tracing ancestry and connection to place, time and the deeper waters within . Presented at Worn Art “Floating World” in 2007, and assisted by ArtsWA creative development grant for new works in aerial puppetry, woman incognito is a work in progress.

Transfaunas

Inspired by the west Australian native orchids, these aerial puppets rise and bloom into vibrant stunning flowers, and animated by aerialists enclosed in their petals . .
Created for the UNIMA International Puppetry Festival 2008, The Garden of Aussie delights was presented by SWERVE and Spare Parts Puppet Theatre. Transfaunas were devised by Nel and built by Ulli Keck and Carrie Gill. They were performed off the very high back verandah of the Perth concert hall for Carnival Day and wowed audiences with their largeness and sensual beauty. Complete with a live score by electic kora land the transfaunas create a mesmerising moment in time . ..

Worn Art Festivals _ Broome

Nel has been a featured artist at this festival for the past 5 years, as a performer, rigger and circus teacher, and continues to find inspiration amongst the many talented and committed people of Broome who make this festival an exceptional event. Originally conceived in New Zealand, Worn Art Festivals happen all across the world and provide a platform for local artists to put their artistic creations on show through performance art and the making of quite extraordinary costumes. Directed by Gwen Knox and designed by Chris Hill, the Worn art festival happens every year in Broome in September/October. With over 100 creations and performers each year the Broome Worn art is one of the most beautifully crafted community events in Australia

Leeuwin

Nel had an artists residency with the Leeuwin ship in 2006 and has performed several times for special events on and around the vessel . .. most recently for the celebration of the Leeuwin’s 21st birthday celebration in November 2007, where she also directed a short performance entitled “Kick The Moon” with young talent Michael Smith who performed on a rope from the yard arm (pictured in Leeuwin gallery).