*artist statement
From the Anthropause necessitated by Covid-19, the possibility emerged for a kind of re-positioning of humans and the non-human world, whereby we might take a less domineering role. As we rush to return to our anthropocentric lives, Co-habit is a reminder of this possibility.
Gretel Taylor *artist bio
Gretel Taylor is a dancer, artist, curator and researcher based in the Dandenong Ranges. Taylor’s PhD explored relationships between place, body and identity in Australia through an improvisational dance practice (2009). She has since continued to create site-responsive performance work activating decolonizing and ecological themes. Influences include Body Weather, live art and community cultural development. Gretel is a key artist of Environmental Performance Authority (EPA), and has collaborated with photographer Laki Sideris on a dance-place-video body of work since 2017. Gretel has taught Dance and Performance at RMIT, Victoria University, Monash and Deakin, and teaches Body Weather Training at Dancehouse. Recent projects include her curatorial project Dancing Place: Corhanwarrabul, supported by Yarra Ranges Council. She is currently Outdoor Activation Officer for Mornington Peninsula Shire.
Laki Sideris *artist bio
Laki Sideris is a photographer and videographer who has presented work in solo and group exhibitions throughout Australia including the Centre of Contemporary Photography, Yarra Ranges Regional Museum, Gold Coast Art Centre and Tweed River Art Gallery. He was twice featured artist at Sydney’s Head on Photo Festival. He has been a finalist in numerous awards including the Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize CCP Documentary Photography Award, Josephine Ulrick Photographic & Win Schubert Award and Olive Cotton Award for Photographic Portraiture.