SAME DANCE, DIFFERENT SONG
FREE
National Galleries Scotland: Portrait
Over 20 inspiring photographs by artist Flannery O’kafka representing Scotland’s disabled community have been acquired for the nation. Made in collaboration with Glasgow-based Indepen-dance over several months these photographs capture the vibrant energy of Indepen-dance and the personalities of the individual dancers.
A selection of 10 photographs by O’kafka are now on show in the Modern Portrait rooms at the National Galleries Scotland: Portrait in a free-to-visit display. Indepen-dance visited their proudly displayed photographs for the first time at a special event this week at the Portrait gallery in Edinburgh.
National Galleries of Scotland commissioned the work after recognising a lack of representation of the disabled community in the nation’s photography collection. Inspired by statistics from Scotland’s census, the photographs aim to explore the notion of identity.
What do we have in common, and what makes us unique?
With support from Art Fund, O’kafka spent months with Indepen-dance to create the Same Dance, Different Song series. She got to know the dancers, hearing their stories and dancing with them, ensuring she could authentically capture and celebrate who they are in their portraits.
The result is 21 vibrant and playful photographs, capturing each dancer’s individuality and fearlessness in dancing. The remaining 11 from the series will be swapped at a later date, allowing visitors the opportunity to experience the full collection of photographs.
The final selection of photographs acquired by the National Galleries of Scotland was made in collaboration with Indepen-dance staff and dancers. Seeing their portrait for the first time one dancer said “Photographs have really helped me to see myself as a beautiful person”. Another said “I think they look amazing, I like them all, I can’t pick one.”
Indepen-dance is an award-winning inclusive dance company for disabled and non-disabled people to enjoy, express, and fulfil their potential through dance. Marking Indepen-dance’s 30th anniversary, this project is a visual representation of the positive impact they have had on providing opportunities for disabled and non-disabled dancers.
Flannery O’kafka is an artist living and working in Glasgow. Their work is mostly photographic and often autobiographical, with a focus on examining how disability is pictured. Central to O’kafka’s practice is offering agency to bodies which have historically been marginalised by photography.
During their time with Indepen-dance O’kafka mentored a young photographer Dylan Lombard who was also part of the Indepen-dance group. With a passion for photography and dance, Dylan had the opportunity to collaborate with O’kafka and develop his own skills as a photographer through the project.
Speaking on the positive impact photography has had on him, he said: “Photography gives me so much joy. Photography has changed me and helped me to become more positive about myself and about life.”
Dylan’s own photographs are also available to view for free at the Portrait gallery, with a dedicated display in the Connections gallery on the ground floor.
Karen Anderson MBE, founder of Indepen-dance said: “Seeing our dancers represented in the National Galleries of Scotland is a really special moment for Indepen-dance, particularly as we celebrate 30 years of the organisation.
“These photographs are about so much more than dance or disability they are about people, personality, identity and the freedom to be seen for who you are.
“For me, this project is also about changing the way disabled people are seen and represented. Our dancers should be part of Scotland’s cultural story, not on the edges of it. To have these photographs acquired for the national collection and displayed for everyone to see is an important recognition of that.
“I’m incredibly proud of our dancers and Dylan, and grateful to Flannery and the National Galleries of Scotland for creating something that celebrates them so authentically. It is wonderful to see their images taking their place in our national collection.”
Louise Pearson, Curator (Photography) and Ailbhe Turley, Outreach Coordinator said: “It has been brilliant to collaborate with the dancers and staff of Indepen-dance and artists Flannery O’kafka and Dylan Lombard on this project.
“Their generosity in sharing their knowledge and experiences has transformed how we think about access and inclusivity when collecting and commissioning artworks at the National Galleries of Scotland.
“We would also like to thank Art Fund for their generous support which has allowed us the time and resources to create this important body of work.”
