Seeing Through Darkness is an evocative dance work directed by Michelle Ryan, inspired by the raw intensity of Georges Rouault’s expressionist paintings. Rouault’s portrayal of the imperfect body and the troubled soul echoes how people with disability are often perceived — and how they experience the world. This immersive, 17-minute performance weaves together dance, music, lighting and moving image to powerful effect, drawing audiences into a deeply intimate and transformative experience. A poetic metaphor for presence and legacy, it asks: “What do we leave behind?”
Created by Restless Dance Theatre, Australia’s leading dance company working with neurodiverse and disabled artists, Seeing Through Darkness embodies the beauty of difference. More than a performance, it offers audiences the opportunity to move, reflect, and reimagine human vulnerability and strength through the lens of inclusive contemporary art.
Presentations:
- Premiere – Art Gallery South Australia, September 2020 – Performance
- WOMADelaide, The Studio, March 2025 – Performance
- Greenwich + Docklands International Festival, September 2025 (Through Another Lens)
- DanceX: A Festival of Dance, The Playhouse – Arts Centre Melbourne, October 2025
- Human Rights Symposium December 2025 (Through Another Lens)
Awards:
- Green Room Award 2026, Winner – Outstanding Ensemble, presented by Restless Dance Theatre presented by The Australian Ballet as part of DanceX
Film Screenings
- Hong Kong Arts Festival, No Limits Program, February 2021
- Belfast Children’s Festival, March 2022
- The First Hong Kong International Inclusive Dance Festival, July 2023
- The 5th Luminous Festival, Hong Kong, September 2023
