Deaf in dance

Feel the beat at State Library's captivating free exhibition, Deaf in dance, showcasing the Deaf Indigenous Dance Group (DIDG) from Far North Queensland.

Deaf in dance explores the 27-year history of the Deaf Indigenous Dance Group and its proud First Nations members who communicate through a range of Indigenous sign languages and use vibration to sense the rhythms of traditional music.

The fascinating showcase features artworks, performances and digital stories, together with a collection of narrative portraits of the group from award-winning photojournalist Sean Davey.

Highlights of the exhibition include a full video of DIDG’s performance at Sydney’s Dance Rites 2023, newly commissioned interviews with DIDG members, large-scale reproductions of artworks created by DIDG, and custom tactile artwork from First Nations artist Bree Buttenshaw.

Deaf in dance has been created with a focus on accessible design, with Australian Sign Language (Auslan) video content, a Braille gallery map, full audio descriptions of each showcase element, and tactile artworks to feel as visitors move through the showcase.  

 Auslan tours will be held monthly as part of the complementary programming.

Image 1: Dancers of the Deaf Indigenous Dance Group at the Laura Quinkan Dance Festival, 2021, Sean Davey, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image 33312-0003-0007.

Image 2: Dancers of the Deaf Indigenous Dance Group dancers Jack Zitha, Aviu Ware, Nathaniel Murray and Elder Clifford Johnson huddle at the Laura Quinkan Dance Festival, 2021, Sean Davey, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image 33312-0003-0005.

Image 3: Amelia Street of the Deaf Indigenous Dance Group performing during NAIDOC Week in Cairns, 2021, Sean Davey, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image 33312-0004-0006.

Image 4: Deaf Indigenous Dance Group dancers at the Laura Quinkan Dance Festival, 2021. Photo by Sean Davey, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image 33312-0003-0001.

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