Panel Discussion – Making sh*t happen: Bypassing/Challenging structures curated and hosted by Valerie Ebuwa

Photo by Holly Whitaker

Valerie Ebuwa

Valerie Ebuwa is a freelance dance artist, activist, writer and model from East London. She started her training at Lewisham College before obtaining a BA HONS degree from London Contemporary Dance School. Amongst others, she’s recently worked with Clod Ensemble, Vincent Dance Theatre, Eddie Peake and the MichaelDouglas Kollektiv. As a maker, she has choreographed and curated ValUE and ValUE II. Her writing has been featured in The Stage magazine and is a regular contributor to I am Hip Hop magazine, a printed and online publication championing Hip Hop culture. Her work has been featured in Crack magazine, i-D, Glass magazine and The Earth Issue.

Malik Nashad Sharpe

Malik Nashad Sharpe

Malik Nashad Sharpe is an artist working with choreography. Creating primarily underneath the alias Marikiscrycrycry, they create performances that are formally experimental and engaged with the formal construction of atmosphere, affect, and dramaturgy. Their performances often utilise social themes and topics as portals to unveil and unearth ulterior and undercurrent perspectives. They have been especially concerned with the affective and textural qualities of dance and how it can transform, disarm, and critically reflect upon mourning and melancholia. Their works have been presented internationally and across many different contexts. They are an Associate Artist at The Place, Hackney Showroom, and a Studio Resident at Somerset House Studios. They were formerly an Artist-in-Residence at Tate Modern and Tate Britain, and currently artist in-residence at Sadler’s Wells. They are a regular contributor to Mission Statement Magazine.  They live and make work from London, U.K and Montreal, CA.  

Nadine Patel

Nadine Patel

Nadine has worked in the UK and international art sector for over 25 years supporting artists and arts organisations to develop and strengthen their opportunities and growth. 

She has held a variety of positions, including Head of Partnerships and Programmes for the British Council sub–Saharan Africa Arts Group and Projects Manager at Sadler’s Well. As a freelance creative consultant, she draws upon her wide-ranging knowledge of contemporary arts practice and networks to provide specialist advice as well as participating directly in programme design, implementation, management, and evaluation. She is currently working on a range of activities such as being an Associate Curator for the Cultura Inglesa Festival in Brazil, author of a guide to touring across Europe post Brexit and sitting on the advisory boards of Impact Dance, Action Hero and the Lagos and Abuja Fringes.   

Photo by Hugo Glendinning

Suzy Willson

Suzy is Co-Artistic Director of the performance company Clod Ensemble which she co-founded with musician Paul Clark 26 years ago. She has directed and choreographed performance work in many different contexts including dance houses, museums, galleries, village halls, health care settings and public spaces. Productions include: Under Glass, An Anatomie in Four Quarters (Sadler’s Wells), Silver Swan (Turbine Hall, Tate Modern) and Red Ladies (Southbank, Turner Contemporary).  She works with dancers, performance artists, musicians, health care workers, architects. She regular teachers and mentors young creatives and is currently Professor of Movement, Arts & Medicine at Barts & The London School of Medicine, QMUL.