Sally McKay

I’m with the Russell Maliphant Company, drawing during rehearsals for The Rodin Project at his studio in north London. When I was last here there were 4 dancers, now all 6 are here (see November 14th).

Standing together, eyes closed, breathing deeply in yogic unison, I am aware of the energy gathering, the dancers softly move to the floor in high arched bridges that seem impossible.

  The pace is quickening and their muscular bodies begin to fly through the air as if they have internal springs that are suddenly and without warning uncoiling at tremendous speed.

   For the next 2 days I draw movement inspired by breakdance, contemporary dance and popping, and it is just stunning. These are a few of my drawings.

Wonderful to be drawing the Russell Maliphant Company again. I am loving seeing sculpture that has inspired me over the years come to life in the body of dancer, Dickson. To have the opportunity to capture the choreographed movement in my drawings which in turn will form the resource for my painting, etching and who knows? possibly sculpture too.

Russell Maliphant Company perform The Rodin Project at Sadler’s Wells 5th February as part of British Dance Edition London 2012, and return to Sadler’s Wells with The Rodin Project in October.

Last week, I had a wonderful 2 days drawing the Russell Maliphant Company while they rehearsed in North West London. Here are a few of the drawings.

Morning class led by Russell 

 Rehearsal 

13th September. I am with The Featherstonehaughs, Lea Anderson‘s all male contemporary dance company, drawing during rehearsals leading up to their farewell tour. They are reworking the 1998 company classic The Featherstonehaughs Draw on the Sketch Books of Egon Schiele.

The day begins with Release class led by Chisato Ohno.

Release class led by Chisato Ohno

Rehearsal of The Featherstonehaughs Draw on the Sketch Books of Egon Schiele

It was 10 years ago when Lea Anderson invited me to draw The Featherstonehaughs and her all female company The Cholmondeleys during the rehearsal process of ‘3‘. Since then I have drawn The Featherstonehaughs and The Cholmondeleys many times, but this will be the last time, they are to disband following 100% funding cut from the the Arts Council.

Stine Nilson and Pedro Machado, Co-Artistic Directors of Candoco Dance Company have invited me to draw during rehearsals for Candoco’s new work by choreographer Marc Brew. 7 years ago I had a residency with Candoco culminating in a joint exhibition and performance at Waterside Arts Centre, Manchester. Since that happy collaboration I have drawn them many times, painted (Don’t Look Back. 2009) using the drawings as inspiration and based 3 sculptures on inspirational Candoco dancer and personal friend Bettina Carpi.

I arrive in time to draw the class, led by Candoco dancer Darren Anderson. The cast of 12 warm up to Prince – what a fabulous way to start the day.

  Class led by Darren

Marc Brew arrives during class, we quickly catch up on the last 2 years when I last worked with him, drawing during rehearsals of his beautiful dance Nocturnes, (scroll to Nocturnes 1 and 2, see the dance at Greenwich Festival this June), we talk of his recent post of Associate Director with Scottish Dance Theatre and he asks me to draw at his forthcoming Fusional Fragments. He gives me a speedy account of Parallel lines, the work we are here for. The cast of 12 includes 2 dancers of Chinese origin and 2 Brazilian dancers as well as the core dance company. China, the UK and Brazil: the past, present and future hosting cites of the Olympic Games.

A fascinating but complex linear structure crosses the studio. The dancers shift from class to rehearsal, the taught lines are lowered and raised, dancers move between, in and out, over and under them, giving the effect of a giant cats-cradle

Marc Brew rehearsing

Bettina Carpi (above)

Sadly I could only spare 1 day to work with Candoco because of a very special family birthday last weekend and the Open Studio this weekend but I will soon return to draw.