Milk
Place to Make | Creative Engine Grant Recipient 2024
MILK
Samantha Lester
Milk delves into the ephemeral nature of creation and the ongoing struggle for dance artists to mould the intangible.
Inspired by the concept of sculpting clay that continually transforms into milk, slipping through the artist's fingers, this performance explores themes of impermanence, frustration, and the ephemerality of creation. Performed by a solo female dancer, Milk also serves as a poignant commentary on female labour and the disparities in the amount of labour performed by women compared to men.
The choreography will aim to illustrate the often invisible and undervalued work that women do including the birthing and raising of children as well as domestic activities. The choreographic score seeks to embody the tension between private moments of control and release, reflecting the continuous yet unrecognised efforts of women both domestically and professionally.
Samantha Lester Bio
Samantha is an indigenous contemporary dance artist currently living and working in Naarm on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation.
Samantha completed her full time training at the Queensland College of Dance in 2023 where she had the opportunity to be mentored by choreographers such as Amelia Wallace, Bella Hood and was honoured to be able to perform Sydney Dance Company repertoire by the one and only Graeme Murphy.
Prior to her formal training, Samantha worked at Assembly 197 as an associate producer where she had the pleasure of co-facilitating educational outreach programs across the north of the state. Samantha has worked with Second Echo Ensemble, Lucy Guerin, Merge Dance Theatre, Stompin Youth Dance Company and Drill Performance Tasmania and has performed in festivals such as Dark Mofo, Festival of Voices, Junction Arts Festival, Ten Days on the Island and Moonah Moves Festival.