Past Work - Tracey West
Some of my work experiences include the following:
On returning to the Northeast of England in 2000, I worked on community and performance-related projects for all ages, abilities, cultures, and genders, utilising collective choreographic processes to define a relational art practice as part of a broader philosophical movement.
While working with my babies, I developed Baby Boogie and Mini Mix sessions held at the Arts Centre Washington and Sunderland Winter Gardens and Museum from 2002 to 2014. In this role, I facilitated music, art, and movement sessions for young children and their parents, helping them explore the joys of movement and creativity. I attended courses with Jasmine Pasche, Penny Greenland: Jabadao and The Bare-toed Dance company based in Dance City Newcastle.
I worked with Director Annabel Newfield with Cracks Threshold, a dance film based on hopes and fears of birthing my second baby – Rory Lawrence west, in 2008. The Birth Rites Collection is the first contemporary artwork dedicated to childbirth. The collection aims to redefine visual language in modern art around birth. birthritescollection.org/cracks-threshold.
In 2012, I participated as an Artist/Mentor for a project with 20 artists/mentors at Sage, Gateshead, organised by Art Works North East. In this project, I provided guidance and support to artists, helping them to develop their skills and expand their artistic vision.
In 2012, I was a visiting lecturer in contemporary dance for first-year BA Hons students at Sunderland University. As part of the Repertoire module, I delivered the Jose Limon technique, helping students to expand their knowledge and skills in contemporary dance.
In 2012-14 I explored a project called Dikkadooey, a multi-disciplined creative, artist-led initiative that engages, celebrates, and positively profiles the unique and often misunderstood cultures of the contemporary Gypsy, Romany, and Traveller (GRT) communities, based in the Northeast. The project bonds my ancestral past, present and future. It enables me to understand and connect deeply to my roots as the daughter of a Romany gypsy man through my dance practice.
In 1995, I met Gong Master Don Conreaux, who introduced me to Gong bathing. Gong bathing is a practice in which individuals immerse in sound waves created by the gong. During my journey, I was amazed by the experience of dissolving my physical body and reconnecting with my energetic body through the power of the gong. At that time, I had no idea how much of an impact this encounter would have on my life and practice. I attended many gong bathing sessions between then and when I started training at The College of Sound Healing with Sheila Whitaker in 2015. Gong bathing is an extension of my movement practice. It inspires sound healing for my body, mind, and soul and gives insightful messages that bring change. I deliver this practice regionally and nationally for different communities of people of all ages and abilities. I have been researching how sound healing with Gongs has influenced my movement practice and how I incorporate it into my performances and community.
As an artist and practitioner, my work has always focused on inclusivity and accessibility. I have integrated movement, live music, and sound healing sessions into my work through my experience with The FATHoM Project and training with Sheila Whitaker at the College of Sound Healing. As I explored these new elements, they profoundly fulfilled my spiritual and healing needs. This experience shifted my perspective on life. I prioritised healing my body, mind, and soul in my everyday life and practice. It is essential to acknowledge the ancient spiritual roots of this practice. These roots bring depth and wisdom to my gong bathing practice.
From 2004 to 2010, I worked as Co-Director of The FATHoM Project CIC. The FATHoM Project was a touring company that brought together our diverse performance, artistic, professional, physical, and geographical backgrounds to create innovative and exciting performance work. We aimed to make our work accessible to all. We were the first inclusive interdisciplinary movement-based company in the northeast of England. We toured various venues across the UK, including Manchester, Dance City, Newcastle, The Arc, Stockton, Plymouth University, and Sadlers Wells London. We received funding from organisations like NCSP, GFTA, and Northern Rock.
During this time, worked with a collective of artists, Caroline Bowditch and Adam Benjamin, pioneers in inclusive movement-based improvisation and performance practice.
I continue to create safe and accessible spaces for disabled and non-disabled women to access movement and gong bathing. My multidisciplinary practice as a dance artist, maker, and gong practitioner is a testament to the transformative power of collaboration and exploration across different art forms and practices.