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Artwork Description

Bhenji Ra is a transdisciplinary artist currently based on Gadigal land, Eora Nation. Her practice combines dance, video, illustration and community activation. Her work dissects cultural theory and identity, centralising her own personal histories as a tool to reframe performance. She is the mother of Western Sydney based collective and ballroom house SLÉ.Bhenji RaAunty holds my arm up as if it’s floating on a seabed. She tells me to mirror her, her body a reflection of mine, my body a reflection of hers. Moving currents slowly form at the tips of my fingers, a tool to read both space and sea. She tells me to soften my focus, remembering this is an offering to receive and be received. An exchange of body and gesture. A diasporic dowry laced with blood memory and a mapping to home (bahay).If reading comes from shade, then this is pre-Hispanic shade, a deep call to the ballroom girls and oceanic mothers, shared nails, shared hands, shared histories stored in the corner of our bodies, kept for ancestral turn ups and community hall balls.Three things to remember:Pangalay can be danced anywhere to any musicPangalay dies when we stop dancing it (I sense we die too)Keep elbows above shouldersFor the 22nd Biennale of Sydney, Filipina Australian artist Bhenji Ra engages Tausug Elder and Pangalay master Sitti Obeso from southern Philippines in performative conversation at the Powerhouse Museum. Bleeding the lines between ocean and land, traditional and contemporary, the original and the diasporic body, this exchange between teacher and student is a generous sharing of a relationship sustained by periodical visits to home country, the sharing of personal ephemera, and online messages across the Pacific Ocean. The series of performance lectures offers an alternative mode of cultural pedagogy that avoids reductive notions around performing culture and learning repertoire.

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Artist Biography

bhenji ra: A Dance of Identity and Resistance

bhenji ra is a transdisciplinary artist hailing from Warrang / Sydney, Australia, whose practice embodies a profound engagement with queer diaspora experiences and critical explorations of cultural theory. Born in 1990, her artistic journey began amidst the vibrant tapestry of Gadigal land, Eora Nation, shaping her worldview and informing her creative endeavors.

Early Influences: ra’s formative years were marked by exposure to Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), where she honed her skills in contemporary dance. This foundational training instilled a deep appreciation for movement as a medium of expression and storytelling.
The Rise of Club Ate & Sissy Balls: Recognizing the importance of community and collective experience, ra co-founded Club Ate with Justin Shoulder—a collective dedicated to fostering inclusivity and challenging societal norms within queer spaces. Together, they established the Sissy Ball in Sydney, a landmark event celebrating queer culture and forging connections across borders.
Biennale Debut & Artistic Recognition: Her debut at the Biennale of Sydney garnered critical acclaim for her work *Kamay Kalayo (Hands of Fire)*—a multimedia project that interrogated notions of identity and power through dance, video, illustration, and performance. This recognition solidified ra’s position as a leading voice in contemporary Asian art.
National Gallery Collaboration: A pivotal partnership with the National Gallery of Australia resulted in *Know My Name*, an immersive installation exploring themes of queer diaspora and cultural heritage. The project drew inspiration from Jennie Livingston's seminal film *Paris is Burning* and celebrated the legacy of Harlem’s drag ball scene—a space for resistance and collective affirmation.

ra’s artistic vision centers on dismantling oppressive structures through creative expression, mirroring the spirit of queer activism throughout history. Her work consistently champions intersectionality—drawing upon Filipino kinship systems, transgender identities, and experiences within the diaspora to illuminate pathways toward liberation and solidarity.

Her ongoing commitment to fostering inclusive spaces and amplifying marginalized voices underscores her belief that art possesses transformative potential. Through dance, performance, and collaborative projects, bhenji ra continues to push boundaries and inspire dialogue—solidifying her legacy as a trailblazing artist who embodies the dynamism of queer culture and the enduring power of artistic resistance.

bhenji ra

Australia

Quick Facts

Artistic Movement Or Style: Transdisciplinary art
Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist: ['Paris is Burning']
Artists Who Influenced This Artist: ['Martha Graham']
Full Name: bhenji ra
Nationality: Australian
Notable Artworks: ['Kamay Kalayo']
Place Of Birth: Sydney, Australia

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Kamay Kalayo (Hands of Fire)

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Hand Made Oil Reproduction

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W692G $12

W849H $8

W940BG $15

W953PJ $8

H24-GOLD $30

H24-SILVER $30

H36-GOLD $45

H36-SILVER $45

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