Meet the artist
Feras Shaheen is an artist curious in letting his conceptual interests lead him across a variety of mediums. Working with choreography, installation work, film, performance, design and street dance to communicate his ideas, the core of Feras’ practice is to connect and engage audiences. He seeks to bring activism into his art practice, with outcomes that are accessible and community centred. Holding a Bachelor in Design from Western Sydney University (2014), Feras often subverts traditional relationships between mediums to challenge audiences’ perspectives, specifically to disrupt colonial discourses and reduce western reliance on neutrality and apathy.
Born in Dubai to Palestinian parents (Gaza/Al Lid), and moving to Western Sydney at age 11, Feras engages with his practice as a way to reflect and examine how he views the world, addressing local and global issues. Winner of The Australian Ballet’s Telstra Emerging Choreographer (TEC) in 2021, Feras has performed and exhibited at Carriageworks, Venice Biennale, Pari, Kampnagel, AGNSW, Campbelltown Arts Centre, and Théâtre de la Ville.
Feras is one of two Detour Fellows in 2025, supported by six Australian dance organisations to spend time with our communities and develop within the context of our unique environs. STRUT Dance is fortunate to be hosting Feras for three weeks in May, where he will connect and share with the Boorloo community through the following activities:
Schedule
Click for more info and to book
Dance Dance Intifada (Jam 1)
13 May
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Studio 3, King Street Arts Centre
An open dance jam focusing on music and dance styles that have emerged as a form of expression in order to break free from social, political, economical and artistic constraints. From a street dancer’s lens, Feras invites you to join him to train and cypher while discussing the historical patterns where marginalised groups have been or are currently being silenced and excluded from spaces and how we respond by music and dance. How do we build a revolution through music and dance – consciously and collectively?
Progressive Except For ____________: Why are we told not to talk about Palestine in the arts?
20 May
7:00 pm
The Blue Room Theatre
An open panel where artists from different disciplines are invited to discuss the current Australian art sector and its challenges with political pressure, censorship and Palestine. Asking questions about the illusion of progressiveness and what that means to indigenous people from all around the world.
An introduction to Palestinian Dabke
25 May
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Studio 3, King Street Arts Centre
Dabke is a folk dance from Bilad al-Sham (The Levant) commonly seen in celebrations but also acts as a symbol of resistance. Feras will be going through the foundations of the dance, the music and the history. Bring your comfy shoes! No dance experience required. All ages welcome.
Dance Dance Intifada (Jam 2)
27 May
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Studio 3, King Street Arts Centre
An open dance jam focusing on music and dance styles that have emerged as a form of expression in order to break free from social, political, economical and artistic constraints. From a street dancer’s lens, Feras invites you to join him to train and cypher while discussing the historical patterns where marginalised groups have been or are currently being silenced and excluded from spaces and how we respond by music and dance. How do we build a revolution through music and dance – consciously and collectively?