Utp

We are thrilled to announce Utp’s 2026 provocation 🌌 Ancestral Portals invites us to reach backwards and forwards to reshape the now. 🌀 This is a call to learn from traditions, revitalise the present, and summon the futures we need. Through the speculative framework of futurisms, we can turn dreams into tracks to navigate around current obstacles. Travelling through slipstreams of past and future, we search for knowledges to arrive at our legacies. 👁️‍🗨️ Gazing into these Portals, we ask: How do we dissolve hierarchies and re-centre matriarchal systems? How do we open new pathways across and within generations? How do we draw from ancestral wisdoms to not only survive but thrive collectively? We hold power within the now to materialise the future we require. We hope that this provocation will inspire all of us to consider our responsibility as future ancestors; to leave Earth a better place for those to come. 🖋️The Ancestral Portals artwork is a collaboration by artists in the Utp team. Background Artwork by Eddie Abd (@eddie.abd ) Typography Design by Celine Cheung (@celinc_c ) Visit our website to read more 🔗Keep an eye out for exciting programs and gatherings to come. #utp26 #AncestralPortals

We’re proud to be a part of the Experimental Commissioning Consortium (ECC) – a new multi-year, multi-organisation initiative that scaffolds independent artists to make ambitious work. The ECC is a newly convened group of organisations around Australia devoted to the development and presentation of independent and experimental art and performance. It seeks to foster cross-sector collaboration to generate increased mobility and opportunity for artists. The program includes three pillars: an experimental laboratory to incubate work, a commissioning circle to bring work into development, and a national touring network. Participating organisations: Abbotsford Convent (@abbotsfordconvent ), Arts House (@artshouse ), Assembly 197 (@assembly.197 ), Cementa (@cementafestival ), Dancehouse (@dancehouse.melb ), Metro Arts (@metroarts ), PACT (@pact_sydney ), Performance Space, PICA (@pica_perth ), Punctum (@punctuminc ), Superposition (@superpositionfestival ), The Substation (@thesubstation ), The Unconformity (@theunconformity ), Utp (@utp___ ), Vitalstatistix (@vitalstatistix_ ), Wired Lab (@thewiredlab ). The ECC is supported by Creative Australia (@creative.australia ). 🔗 Find out more about the pilot program and participating artists at the link in our bio 📸 Bob Cartledge

Are you ready to Deep Dive with us? We have answered some of your FAQs on our website 💬 Come have in-depth dialogues with us about works-in-progress. Facilitated by the Utp team, artists connected to Western Sydney are invited to share their work and voices. Click the link in bio to learn more 🔗 Expressions of Interest open until Sunday 24 May. 🖌️Artwork by Eddie Abd #AncestralPortals #utp26 #portalstotheancestors

Are you an artist looking to get new perspectives on your work-in-progress? Join the first cohort of our new program, Deep Dive – a gathering space for constructive conversations. Expressions of Interest are now open for June - August sessions. Deep Dive is for you, if you... 🔹Have a work that is halfway to or near completion 🔹Wish to get perspectives on new works for an upcoming exhibition or presentation 🔹Want to learn about what your artistic peers are thinking and creating Don’t have a work-in-progress to share? No worries, you can also join as a participant to be a part of the conversation. Visit our link in bio to find out more about the program 🔗 📷Photo by Gillian Kayrooz during Counterflows residency, 2024, hosted by Arts House featuring artwork, ‘On Demand’ by Eugenia Lim, 2019 #AncestralPortals #utp26 #portalstotheancestors

📢Expressions of Interest are now open to be part of our first Deep Dive cohort. 🌊 Deep Dive is a space to gather for constructive conversations about works-in-progress. We invite creative practitioners connected to Western Sydney to get new eyes on the work you have been developing. This program is most helpful for artists seeking perspectives on works that are halfway finished or near completion. We are building a community of peers to have in-depth dialogues. These are not pitching sessions and artists in any stage of their career are welcome. Six artists will be selected to present at one of three feedback sessions, facilitated by members of Utp’s team. Each will receive an artist fee of $260. All are welcome to attend the session as feedback participants. 🫂 🗓️ Dates: Wednesdays 24 June, 15 July, 19 August 🕐 Time: 6-8:30pm, dinner will be provided 🍽️ 📍Location: RS1, Utp, Bankstown Arts Centre, 5 Olympic Parade, Bankstown Expressions of Interest open until Sunday 24 May. Submit an EOI to participate or present your work-in-progress, link in bio 🔗 🖌️Artwork by Eddie Abd #AncestralPortals #utp26 #portalstotheancestors

Reliving the energetic evening that was ‘portals to the ancestors’ ❤️‍🔥Thank you to all those who danced, crafted and gathered with us last month! We were so thrilled to see everyone’s dance moves in workshops led by Jannawi Dance Clan (@jannawidanceclan ), Shyamla (@shyamla.e ) and Mohamed Albayed from Ataba Dabke (@atabadabke ). And the marvelous, personal shrines created in emoeba h♡rtbridge (@emoeba ) and Bonnie Huang (@bonniiehuang )’s shrinemaking workshop. Last but not least, Kefah Maradweh from Jafra Enterprises (@jafraenterprises ) shared her cooking and the compelling story of msakhan with us. So grateful to kick off our 2026 programming with these generous offerings by artists 🏵️ We curated this event as a part of the iconic Western Terrace series @phive.ps , to celebrate our provocation ‘Ancestral Portals’. We have exciting programs for you to get involved soon! 🙌 Stay tuned. 📹Video by Shalvi Singh (@shalvinotshelby ) 🎶Soundtracks: Jannawi Dance Clan - Burradowee Eel Spirit and Gulbee Ilaiyaraaja - Hero Intro, Thaarai Thappattai soundtrack Issa Alsaggar عرفتك يابنيه وانك عشاقه عيسى السقار #AncestralPortals #utp26 #portalstotheancestors

As the sun set over Burramatta, community came together for portals to the ancestors — @utp___ curated an evening of movement, making and reflection that honoured ancestral memory and living culture.   Participants danced, crafted and gathered through artist‑led workshops exploring the body as a place of connection and cultural continuity. Jannawi Dance Clan (@jannawidanceclan ) led a cultural dance workshop, Mohamed Albayed from Ataba Dabke (@atabadabke ) facilitated a Palestinian dabke workshop, and Shyamla (@shyamla.e ) took us through the Tamil drumming dance, Parai Attam. Artist emoeba h♡rtbridge (@emoeba ) and Bonnie Huang (@bonniiehuang ) guided shrine‑making, with community members creating personal shrines using photos of spiritual ancestors (real or imagined) and treasured memories.   A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us, and to all the artists and contributors who made this gathering such a meaningful and welcoming experience.   The evening was presented as part of Utp’s 2026 program under the provocation Ancestral Portals, with catering by Kefah Maradweh from Jafra Enterprises (@jafraenterprises ).   We look forward to welcoming you back to the Western Terrace series throughout 2026.   Images by Grant Leslie.

Tonight, we gather for a special evening at ‘portals to the ancestors’ @phive.ps 💃🏽🏵️ As the sun sets in Burramatta, we invite you to dance and craft with us to honour ancestral memory and living culture. Commencing with a cultural dance workshop by @jannawidanceclan , Shyamla (@shyamla.e ) will then host an introduction to the Tamil drumming dance, Parai Attam. We’ll end the evening with an energetic Palestinian dabke workshop by Mohamed Albayed from @atabadabke . Running alongside these is a shrine making workshop by artists emoeba h♡rtbridge (@emoeba ) and Bonnie Huang (@bonniiehuang ). You’re invited to bring a photo of a ‘spiritual ancestor’ (real or imagined) or a treasured memory to make a personal shrine. Finally, we will serve delicious home-cooked Palestinian food by Kefah Maradweh from @jafraenterprises 🫓Can’t wait to see you there! 🗓️ Date and Time: Wednesday 25 March, 6-8pm 📍Location: Western Terrace, Level 3, @phive.ps 5 Parramatta Square, Parramatta We have some final tickets left 🎟️ Register for free, link in bio 🔗 🖋️Artwork by Eddie Abd, Typography by Celine Cheung 📷 Photo credits: Slide 1 - from left to right: Jannawi Dance Clan by Benjamin Warlngundu Ellis Shyamla by Anna Hay, with artwork by Kirtika Kain Ataba Dabke Group, courtesy of the artists emoeba by Cass Li; Bonnie Huang by Garry Trinh, courtesy of Parramatta Artists' Studios Slide 3 - courtesy of Jafra Enterprise #AncestralPortals #utp26 #portalstotheancestors

We’re excited to introduce emoeba h♡rtbridge and Bonnie Huang who will be leading a shrinemaking workshop 🎐 Bring a photo of a ‘spiritual ancestor’ (real or imagined) or a treasured memory to make a personal shrine with us. 🕕 This workshop will be running from 6-8pm, in parallel to 3 fantastic dance workshops – a sanctuary for you to take a break, tinker and make with your hands. @emoeba (they/them) is an artist currently living in southwest Sydney on Bidjigal and Dharug Lands. They use their art as a connector between people, earth and animals, through the extremities of Sydney’s changing weather conditions. They believe in the enduring power of piracy for leisure and friendship. Lately, they like to think that - temporary, love-driven spurts of ugly struggle can lead to beautiful, worthwhile stuff, and memories. @bonniiehuang (they/them) is a gatherer of kerbside trash, textures, and symbols. Through serious thought and unserious experimentation, they explore the crevices between disgust and delight. Working across sculpture, installation, image-making, performance, and text, their work foregrounds the sensorial emotional experience and reveals our shared language of intimacy. Informed by an observational process, they digest and subvert commonplace objects, popular culture from the digital realm, and scenes of public architecture to allow a sculptural interpretation of our bodies, revealing how identity can be constructed and contested. 🗓️ Date and Time: Wednesday 25 March, 6-8pm 📍Location: Western Terrace, Level 3, @phive.ps 5 Parramatta Square, Parramatta Tickets are going fast ❤️‍🔥Book your place for free, link in bio 🔗 📷 1 - emoeba photo by Cass Li; 2 - Bonnie photo by Garry Trinh 🖋️Artwork by Eddie Abd, Typography by Celine Cheung #AncestralPortals #utp26 #portalstotheancestors

Interested in learning Palestinian dabke? 🇵🇸 We’re thrilled to have Mohamed Albayed from @atabadabke leading a workshop at ‘portals to the ancestors’. Ataba Dabke Group is a Sydney-based collective dedicated to preserving and promoting Palestinian cultural heritage through the traditional dance of dabke. What began as a hobby among a group of young friends has grown into a passionate troupe that highlights the enduring significance of dance as a medium of identity, resilience, and community. With every performance and workshop, they bring joy, energy, and a strong sense of togetherness, embodying both respect for tradition and the vitality of contemporary expression. 🗓️ Date and Time: Wednesday 25 March, 6-8pm 📍Location: Western Terrace, Level 3, @phive.ps 5 Parramatta Square, Parramatta Free via registration 🔗 link in bio Come dance, craft and gather with us to honour ancestral memory and living culture. 🏵️ All levels of experience, abilities and cultural backgrounds welcome. 📷 Photo provided by the artists 🖋️Artwork by Eddie Abd, Typography by Celine Cheung #AnestralPortals #utp26 #portalstotheancestors #dance

This Saturday 🪩Step behind the scenes of Garabari – a joyful, participatory dance work where story, song and movement connect people and Country on the dancefloor. We’re thrilled to welcome back Joel Bray, Uncle Chris, and the Garabari team at Utp as artists-in-residence ahead of their upcoming presentation on Dharug land. Join us for Open Studio sessions on Saturday 21 March 🌟11:00am-12:30pm Language, song and cultural sharing with Uncle Chris 🌟1:30pm-3:30pm Movement masterclass and practice sharing with Joel Bray All welcome! Book for free via our link in bio 🔗 Garabari is a participatory dance gathering created by @joelbraydance with Elders and community leaders. A pulsing techno beat meets Wiradjuri song as the space transforms into a shared dance floor. Audiences are invited to join in movement, call and response and group dance, gaining a real sense of what a modern corroboree feels like while seeing how traditional stories and language continue to live and grow today. Last year, we were lucky to have Joel running a workshop at our inaugural Another World Festival. Garabari is currently on tour, coming soon to Riverside LIVE @phive.ps . Led by @joelbraydance and produced by @blakdance . 📷Photo 1 by Garry Trinh #Garabari #utp26 #AncestralPortals

🥁 Introducing Shyamla, who will be running a Parai Attam workshop ~ Dance to India’s oldest drum and experience a 3,000-year-old Tamil drumming-dance tradition at ‘portals to the ancestors’ 🏵️ Shyamla Eswaran (@shyamla.e they/them) is a multidisciplinary artist, choreographer and facilitator based on Dharug Land, working across movement, sound and embodied storytelling. In 2019 they founded @bindibosses , an independent South Asian arts company whose work has featured at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, TEDxSydney, Qudos Bank Arena, Carriageworks and the Sydney Opera House. Shyamla’s practice is grounded in regular training and community-based practice in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, where they study the 3000-year old artforms of Parai Attam (Tamil drumming dance) and Silambam (martial arts), performing at the ancient Nataraja Temple. A descendant of Fijian-Indian indentured labourers carrying Telugu Mala and Tamil Brahmin lineages, Shyamla's solo work explores the impacts of caste, migration and ancestral memory. A recipient of the Multicultural NSW Premier’s Harmony Medal (2020), Shyamla presented their first solo work GIRMITYA at Sydney Dance Company as part of a sold-out season of Dirty Feet's Out Of The Studio (OOTS) program in 2025. 🗓️ Date and Time: Wednesday 25 March, 6-8pm 📍Location: Western Terrace, Level 3, @phive.ps 5 Parramatta Square, Parramatta Free via registration 🔗link in bio We recommend wearing comfortable clothing to move in. All levels of experience, abilities and cultural backgrounds welcome! Hope to see you there ❤️‍🔥 📷 Photo by Anna Hay, Artwork: ‘Blue Bloods XVII’, 2023 by Kirtika Kain 🖋️Artwork by Eddie Abd, Typography by Celine Cheung #AnestralPortals #utp26 #portalstotheancestors #dance