When Brisbane artist William Robinson heard they were doing a ballet based on his work, he was surprised. Pleasantly so.
Now in his late 80s, Robinson is revered and regarded by many as Australia’s greatest living artist. He’s a two-time Archibald Prize winner and has created some of the most beautiful landscapes ever painted, featuring the rainforests of the border ranges. His work also influenced one of Australia’s most exciting regional art galleries, HOTA Gallery on the Gold Coast, which was architecturally inspired by his art.
So why not a ballet based on his oeuvre? The 2024 season of Soiree is a stunning annual fusion of art, dance and live music by Queensland Ballet Academy in collaboration with Philip Bacon Galleries. Bacon supplies the art (Robinson is in his stable) and the academy supplies the dancers.
It’s a lovely idea that came out of the blue for Robinson.
“I think it’s marvellous, but I can’t believe it’s happening at all,” he tells me. “But it’s a wonderful thing to happen. The surprise is so good it’s almost like a religious experience.”
Robinson is largely confined to home nowadays and won’t make the performances at the Talbot Theatre, Thomas Dixon Centre, on December 5 to 7, but his family will be there in numbers and have promised to report back.
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Historically, artists have worked with ballet and opera companies. The famous Ballets Russes worked with Picasso, Matisse and others. Robinson recalls seeing a collaboration with an artist here in Brisbane.
“In the 1960s I went to a ballet in Brisbane and it featured the work of Sidney Nolan,” Robinson recalls.
Robinson’s art dealer, Philip Bacon, well known for his arts philanthropy and encouragement of emerging artists, says he is happy to be working with the ballet.
“I love it and I love seeing those young people on stage,” Bacon says. “It’s just a lovely thing. And it’s good for the choreographers who love working with the art. Bill (Robinson) is thrilled and the images they have chosen are right across his spectrum, from still lifes to portraits to the French pictures and, of course, the great landscapes.
In previous years Bacon’s artists Michael Zavros and Tim Storrier have been represented with the young dancers accompanied by musicians from Camerata, Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, who will be playing again this year.
Three world premieres will feature in the upcoming season of Soirée.
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Celebrated choreographers Natalie Weir, Paul Boyd and Louise Deleur join the line-up this year, showcasing new classical and neo-classical works with Robinson’s art the source of inspiration.
Boyd, resident choreographer and head of the Queensland Ballet Academy Upper School, says Soirée offers a chance to stretch his choreography skills and think outside the box.
“Soirée allows me to step completely out of my comfort zone,” Boyd says. “It tests me as a choreographer. These ballets would never take place if it wasn’t for the art that drives every movement.”
He says he was inspired by some of Robinson’s etchings, including one work depicting two people on a park bench (Feeding the birds) 1977-78.
“For some reason, I was immediately transported to Paris,” Boyd says. “And once I delved into Robinson’s life, I discovered he was influenced by the French masters, without me having any inkling of that. It was amazing. Then, once I decided on the French theme and after delving into (French composer) Maurice Ravel’s chamber music, I knew I had the complimentary music to the artworks.”
Resident choreographer Weir chose seven paintings, including the evocative Creation landscape: The dome of space and time, painted about 2003, depicting an expanse of Australian forest in a palette of green and violet.
“I love that painting,” Weir says. “It’s a nature landscape and it’s like looking through a sphere to the future, past and present. I read this quote by the artist: ‘I don’t paint for any particular time – I just painted for the life we were passing through.’ I loved this as a concept, and it has inspired the work.”
Louise Deleur, resident choreographer and head of contemporary dance at Queensland Ballet Academy, says she was inspired by two main artworks for her piece, which features the contemporary course dancers in Years 11 and 12.
“There is a calmness of nature about Dark Tide at Boganar 1994 – one where you gaze into the sky and drift with the clouds in your own meandering thoughts,” Deleur says. “The Creation Landscape, Earth and Sea brings about a whirl of emotions and turmoil from the stormy horizon and its purple hues.”
Academy director Christian Tàtchev says Soirée is an annual highlight for the next generation of young dancers.
“Soirée is a highlight for Queensland Ballet Academy each season and an exciting way to finish the year,” Tatchev says. “The opportunity to collaborate with choreographers and musicians, to work with and be inspired by Robinson’s artwork and to perform to live audiences is an incredible learning experience. We are very grateful to philanthropist Philip Bacon for enabling this project, and to William Robinson.”
Soirée, Talbot Theatre, Thomas Dixon Centre, West End, December 5-7.
academy.queenslandballet.com.au