The Deceptive Gift (2017)
Performance installation and comic

The sound of women training in a boxing gym coached by a male voice enters the space. As the voice fades a choreography with the vase sculptures begins, using them as an opponent >>>​

The Deceptive Gift was developed whilst working with five women from the Black Country who have in some way broken expectations to pursue their careers within male dominated industries. The piece celebrated female empowerment and incorporated dance, spoken word, cooking and dhol drumming. 

The women that inspired the work are: Parv Kaur the  UK's first female dhol drummer, Nitisha Patel award winning chef, Laura Howell the Beano's first female illustrator, Lauren Johnson the Black Country's first woman to earn a wage from boxing, Hanifa McQueen Hudson the UK’s first B-girl.

The comic was made in collaboration with Cat Sims and is available upon request.

Performed by: Shelley Eva Haden, Jasmine Gardosi, Parv Kaur, Nitisha Patel
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Photography: Jules Lister