Susan Barling

My practice encompasses many varied influences. I have trained with many wonderful teachers and worked with choreographers encompassing different styles and techniques. Contemporary dance is my passion and also the way I can communicate different thoughts, ideas and emotions. The dress was the spark that ignited this artistic journey and then all the important elements that make up this performance have emerged in a very organic way. A big thank you to Kim Deacon, a Hill End-based performer and composer and Robyn Godfrey, who has recently moved to Mudgee after a long career performing and teaching in Sydney. And Kate Hodgkinson who has recreated the dress.

This creative journey started with the dress, it was the spark that called me to action. It is a wonderful thing that was created in 1996 by Annaleigh Moore to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Kandos Cement Works. The design of the dress has a futuristic flavour, which I feel represents the changes that were starting to occur for Annaleigh at that time. Other inspiration comes from the cement works, its history and the effects on the Kandos community. Kate Hodkinson, a local textile artist will recreate the dress/costume for this project. Kim Deacon, a Hill End based performer and composer and Robyn Godfrey, a local musician/performer and teacher, will come together to create and perform their own composition for this dance project.