Ace Example
This page provides examples of previous work relevant to the proposed project, including interdisciplinary collaboration, public engagement and digital dance practice.
Hogarthian Rave Jeremy Deller x Grace Nicol (National Gallery)
The Hogarthian Rave is a collaboration between Turner Prize-winning artist Jeremy Deller, choreographer Grace Nicol and London Contemporary Dance School (LCDS) students. The work originated from three words written by Deller, ‘messy Hogarthian rave’.
Drawing on William Hogarth’s satirical observations of London society, the performance reimagines these themes through contemporary rave culture, blending historical reference with present-day social dynamics.
This work is included as an example of my previous collaboration with Jeremy Deller, demonstrating our shared approach to large-scale, interdisciplinary performance in a public context.
The project also involved LCDS student performers. These students have since graduated and will return as paid professional dancers in the Francis Crick Institute film, alongside a new cohort of students. This demonstrates a clear progression route within my practice, supporting early-career artists and contributing to the wider dance ecosystem.
“Grace is someone who can take a simple brief, run with it and make it into a glorious reality. Working with her on developing a new public realm performance as part of a wider artist-led commission for the National Gallery has been a pleasure because she is collaborative, kind, playful and combines this with a real attention to detail and passion for embodied research. It is a great feeling to be able to trust someone to deliver something of high quality that respects a shared creative vision and still holds a positive student experience at the heart of it all. I’m excited for what is to come!”
KNEAD Grace Nicol x Sinéad O’Dwyer (Barbican)
KNEAD is a durational performance exploring embodiment, intimacy and the agency of garments, presented by Sinéad O’Dwyer and choreographed by Grace Nicol. It was first shown as part of the Barbican’s Dirty Weekend programme.
Developed in just two days of rehearsal, the work sold out its performances and received critical recognition in British Vogue. This demonstrates strong audience appetite and the relevance of the themes explored, supporting the case for further R&D within this project.
This previous iteration directly informs the proposed KNEAD R&D, evidencing both demand and the potential for further development.
“Fashion and the stage are both familiar territories for explorations of sex, but there are a few features that make this approach feel so radical.”
Ná Teagmhaigh / Do Not Touch (Film)
Do Not Touch is a dance film developed from KNEAD, created in collaboration with director Sylvia Suli and commissioned by the Barbican.
The film translates live performance into a distinct screen-based work, demonstrating my experience in adapting choreography for camera and working across live and digital formats.
It will be screened as part of the proposed project at Centre 151 and evidences an existing relationship with platforms such as Nowness, supporting the project’s digital distribution strategy.
