Laura Kenyon x Centre 151
WOMANEWER
Trigger warning: Contains themes of domestic abuse and violence
During the pandemic domestic abuse related arrests have risen by 24% and left thousands of women in unsafe living situations in complete isolation. WOMANEWER was a new artistic project addressing violence and sexual abuse against women whilst promoting female empowerment.
Movement artist Laura Kenyon worked with women who are survivors of abuse from Centre 151, creating a safe space for women to be heard, share their experiences and get support. There was online support for women to share their stories anonymously, as well as face to face interviews and group sessions led by a therapist. The project also ran a series of open discussions, interviews and creative sessions, with the aim of building a network of women, able to talk and discuss their experiences whilst providing tools to help bolster self-esteem.
The project resulted in a short film combining text, voice recordings, movement and creative writing, as well as a ‘handbook’ using movement and improvisations to empower women who have experienced domestic violence to tell their story in their own voices.
© Christophe Giraud
the commission
Laura Kenyon and Centre 151 are proud to present WOMANEWER, a film and discussion about dealing with past trauma through movement. Throughout weeks of research and development, WOMANEWER worked with survivors of abuse from Centre 151, creating a safe space for participants to be heard, share their experiences and get support whilst engaging in improvisation and movement based tasks. Through a series of creative tasks and interviews, women are given artistic tools to express past trauma, feel empowered and build a global community. In the discussion that follows, the participants and the WOMANEWER team dive into the impact of this project and the importance of providing safe spaces for exploration and exchange.
ABOUT THE COLLABORATORS
Laura Kenyon is a contemporary dancer who explores ideas related to gender, sexuality and identity in her practice. As a survivor of sexual assault, themes surrounding womanhood, gender inequalities, and celebrating women’s beauty and strength are central to her work, advocating for women to have their own voice in society.
Centre 151 is an independent charity based in the heart of Hackney, promoting culture, arts and community integration at every level. It is the outcome of a unique collaboration between the Community Centre for Refugees from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia (VLC), and Van Huynh Company, a vibrant, cutting edge contemporary dance company with a growing national and international reputation. The centre is a vital meeting point for refugees, specifically from South East Asian countries, and is the host of many cultural and artistic activities and residencies, delivering an inspiring model of co-production and co-design, for and by the community.