Seeing Through Darkness

Seeing Through Darkness is an evocative dance work directed by Michelle Ryan, inspired by the raw intensity of Georges Rouault’s Expressionist paintings. Rouault’s portrayal of the imperfect body and the troubled soul echoes how people with disability are often perceived — and how they experience the world. This immersive, 17-minute performance weaves together dance, music, lighting and moving image to powerful effect, drawing audiences into a deeply intimate and transformative experience. A poetic metaphor for presence and legacy, it asks: What do we leave behind?   

Created by Restless Dance Theatre, Australia’s leading dance company working with artists with and without disability, Seeing Through Darkness embodies the beauty of difference. More than a performance, it offers audiences the opportunity to move, reflect, and reimagine human vulnerability and strength through the lens of inclusive contemporary art.