THE ASCENSION OF ESTHER. St Saviours Hall, Plymouth 28/11/2019

Responding to the histories, architectures, and found objects within St Saviours Church Hall, The Ascension of Esther re-presents and re-imagines art historical images of womxn and womxnhood via uses of ‘bodycloth’ in performance art. Built in the 1880s to serve as a Sunday school to the former Anglican church, St Saviours was re-purposed by local artist Robert Lenkiewicz in the 1990s. Taking a feminist approach, the artists use Lenkiewicz’ paintings as a referential starting point from which to activate and respond.

This performance formed part of Natalie Raven’s doctoral research, conducted at the University of Plymouth in the department of Dance, Theatre, and Performance.

Credits: Performance by Natalie Raven and Dagmar Schwitzgebel
Photography by Beth Richards
Performance Assistance by Charlie Cornforth
Lighting Design and Technical Assistance by Melaine Le Bars