Campbelltown Arts Centre will be hosting musicians Eleanor Dixon and Edi Donald from next Monday as part of the Indigenous artist residency program.
The two artists will round up their residency on Saturday, December 9 with a joint performance that will include new works from the pair’s time at the centre.
The show will be called Anya, which means Now in the Mudburra language.
The art centre’s residency program – which has played host to several notable names in the past including Jessie Lloyd and her Mission Songs Project, Vic Simms, Luke Peacock and Jimblah – aims to foster new indigenous works in a supportive and creative environment.
Director Michael Dagostino says Anya will see these two musicians working closely with our local community as part of their residency and performance.
“We are proud to be working with talented Aboriginal artist Eleanor Dixon and her fellow musician and friend Edi Donald in presenting their exciting new work Anya as part of our 2017 Contemporary Music Program,’’ Mr Dagostino said.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Campbelltown Arts Centre prides itself on presenting work that shares the stories and experiences of Aboriginal artists from across Australia.’’[/social_quote]
Eleanor Dixon and Edi Donald first met in 2013 during the Barkly Divas workshops run by Music NT where Eleanor was a participant and Edi a mentor.
Since their first meeting, these two musicians have co-mentored at various musical workshops in remote communities throughout the Central Desert and Barkly areas.
But despite this history, the residency at Campbelltown Arts Centre will be the first time that the two have collaborated together.
“Since we’ve known each other we have supported one another artistically and shared inspiration, ideas and vision,” says Ms Dixon.
“At Campbelltown Arts Centre we hope to achieve freedom through our collaboration and to create something different and new from what either of us is currently doing.”
Edi Donald adds: “This is an opportunity for both of us to balance the sense of wonder and excitement that comes with sharing the creative process with another artist whose perspective is different from your own, against a shared sense of wanting to make songs that communicate depth and fragility alongside the urgency of what is happening in the moment.”
Eleanor Dixon is a Mudburra woman from the remote Northern Territory community of Marlinja.
With a passion and drive beyond her years, Eleanor has shared her music and stories at national festivals, won multiple awards and performed with some of the biggest names in the Australian music industry.
She is also a member of Indigenous outfits Kardajala, Kirridarra and Rayella.
Edi Donald, known for his work out front of Edi Donald and The Transients, is a rugged songsmith with an emotive voice.
Edi employs vivid lyricism that embodies androgyny; fiercely and intentionally defying definition.
As a transgender artist, Edi seeks to give voice to the spectrum of gender and human identities.
EVENT SNAPSHOT
WHAT Anya
WHO Eleanor Dixon and Edi Donald
WHERE Campbelltown Arts Centre
WHEN 7pm Saturday, December 9
TICKETS Adults $10, concession $5, children under 12 Free. Available at the venue or by calling 4645 4100.
• Note that this event is all ages. Please bring ID.
