Adrianne Semmens
Barkandji people, New South Wales
My work embodies stories of connection — to Country, to water, to kin.
I have been interested in the use of shadow and reflection, as a marker of time passed, of those before us, and of Country holding our stories and knowledge.
kuntyiri honours and reflects upon returning visits to Wilyakali and Barkandji/Barkindji Country. From childhood memories with family, to recent journeys together as a collective. My gestures speak softly, filmed against the incredible visions of Country.
Dance has always been a way of sharing our knowledge and understanding, a cultural practice entwined with story and song. This work continues that practice, marking our coming together and sharing through dance.
The choreography is an archive of memories, stories and sentiment — carrying immense love and also longing. I recall watching my shadows dance across the corrugated iron landscapes of Broken Hill, and feel the weight and smooth touch of a grindstone held.
The holding close of these moments, and the people I shared them with, is echoed in the string sculptures.
Both the screendance and sculptural works continue my interest in the use of string, to map journey and lineage. The pooling string gestures to our ever present lifeblood — water.
Dyed on Kaurna Country, the string continues the connection between my home, living on Kaurna Country and my Ancestral Barkandji Country.
Easy read
Through dance I share my memories and connection to place and people. I trace my journeys across Country. I use string to explore and represent our lifeblood — water.
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Adrianne Semmens is a dance practitioner whose work is centred in stories of place and is shared through live performance, screendance and within gallery spaces.
Adrianne’s choreographic works include Immerse, commissioned by Australian Dance Theatre, Thread and short dance film Underfoot. Adrianne has also enjoyed recent opportunities to perform with Tjarutja Dance Theatre Collective, led by Gina Rings and share her collaborative work with Jennifer Eadie in their 2022 exhibition Unravel at The Mill.
Adrianne is passionate about youth and community programs and is the Learning Manager for Australian Dance Theatre. She has worked with The Australian Ballet as a Dance Presenter for their Education Ensemble and co-founded the First Nations Choreographic Lab in 2021.
Adrianne Semmens at Mutawintji, 2022
Photo: Zena Cumpston
kuntyiri, shadow, reflection
2023
Broken Hill, Wilyakali Country
Kinchega National Park, Barkandji/Barkindji Country
Adelaide, Kaurna Country
3 channel video, stereo sound
7 minutes 43 seconds
composer: Amy Flannery
co-director: Johanis Lyons-Reid
Holding I–III
2023
Adelaide, Kaurna Country
recycled cotton yarn, wire, rust, charcoal, eucalyptus, quandong and bottlebrush dyes
(I) 314.0 x 20.0 x 7.0 cm; (II) 315.0 x 15.0 x 14.0 cm; (III) 317.0 x 12.0 x 9.5 cm (variable)
All works courtesy the artist.
Nici Cumpston, Zena Cumpston, David Doyle, Kent Morris, Adrianne Semmens, Raymond Zada
Barkandji/Barkindji/Malyangapa people, New South Wales
nets
2023
Broken Hill, Wilyakali Country
Adelaide, Kaurna Country
Melbourne, Wurundjeri Country
spiny-headed sedge (Cyperus gymnocaulos)
(1-2) 50.0 x 300.0 cm (each) (variable)
Courtesy the artists.
Photography by Christian Capurro at Bunjil Place Gallery, 2023.