If it weren't for the Covid-19 pandemic, Māori dancer and choreographer Eddie Elliot would be about to leave for Canada where he regularly performs with an indigenous dance company. But he has no time to waste on regrets at the moment, with the premiere of his first full length commissioned work for the New Zealand Dance company about to premiere.
Uku - Behind the Canvas sees the dancers cover themselves in, and make small objects out of clay on stage. The work also incorporates New Zealand Sign Language and references the distorted paintings of Swiss artist Andy Denzler. It's part of the New Zealand Dance Company's new show, Night Light.
