An emotional exploration of Maori culture has secured dancer and choreographer Victoria Hunt a prestigious Helpmann Award nomination.

Hunt has been nominated in the category of Best Female Dancer in a Dance or Physical Theatre Production for Copper Promises, a new solo work exploring the cultural and physical journey of Hinemihi, a female ancestor connected with Hunt’s Maori heritage.

The annual Helpmann Awards recognise distinguished artistic achievement and excellence in Australia's live performance sectors.

Hunt is an audio visual technician in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and was the recipient of a Critical Path Responsive Residency at Io Myers studio in 2011.

The residency program is run in partnership with UNSW’s Creative Practice Lab in the School of the Arts and Media. It provides choreographers with financial support, space, equipment, technology and advice to develop research projects.

Copper Promises tells the story of Hunt’s personal journey to reunite with family and reconnect with her culture, land and ancestors.

 “It is a dance of lament, a pilgrimage and a protest for ancestral treasures,” Hunt says.

 Watch an excerpt of Copper Promises here

 Media contact: Fran Strachan | 9385 8732 | 0429 416 070

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