Palestinian circus artist Fadi Zmorrod has been announced as the recipient of the 2023-24 South East Venue Network (SEVN) artist bursary.
Fadi, who completed his professional training in Italy’s Cirko Vertigo and has toured for many years with circus and dance companies internationally, has resided in Ireland since late 2021, and recently moved to Wellingtonbridge, Co. Wexford.
The Arts Council funded bursary includes €14,000 in financial support towards the development of artistic practice, as well as support in-kind from venues across the network. These are Wexford Arts Centre, Theatre Royal Waterford, Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow, Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, Wicklow, Garter Lane Arts Centre, Waterford, National Opera House, Wexford, Visual, Carlow and Watergate Theatre, Kilkenny.
Fadi plans to use the supports provided to him through the SEVN bursary to research and develop a new work inspired by the ‘tales of caution’ that we are told in all cultures as children, and the many ways these affect our subconscious. He will work with a number of communities in the region, including residents of a Direct Provision centre in Waterford and members of the Travelling community in Wexford, as well as engaging with other performers to envisage their role in his new work.
“This bursary comes at a pivotal time in my career and life, as a first time parent and also as a new member of the local community of the South East of Ireland ” Fadi explained. “I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and am very excited to explore the potential of each venue in the network. There is nothing more valuable to an artist than being given time and resources to develop practice, and for this I thank the SEVN network”. – Fadi Zmorrod
Julie Kelleher, Director, Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray added: “It’s a terrific story that the South East region can welcome exciting new artists into the fold as well as offer continued support to longstanding residents”.
About the South East Venue Network;
The South East Venue Network (SEVN) was formed in 2019 and provides an informal support network for strengthening arts centre/venue operations and programme development that aims to further support artists and programme delivery in the region. Previous recipients of the SEVN Artistic Bursary are Beth McNinch (musician) and Rachel Brennan (dance theatre artist).
Photo credits: Headshot by Alaa Aliabdallah. Performance shot by Francesca Cerri/ Movements by Cirkus Cirkör.
