Libby Halliday 2025

Libby Halliday

19 to 19 September and 14 to 24 November 2025

Investigating quality of movement inspired by nature and the elements. Experimenting with the body, in and out of a handstand, how it would respond to wind, rain, heat, and cold, as if it were a beetle, a dragonfly, or a flower. Movement in response to props surrounding the handstand canes that represent the tops of a tree – imagine a Magnolia tree, giant flowers that open and close, with lights inside that cast shadows and illuminate the beetles that pollinate its flowers.

During my residency at Uillinn I wish to develop repertoire for a future body of work. I will investigate movement quality inspired by nature and the elements in order to approach the technique of hand balancing from new places, imagining my body as something else – living but not human. Experimenting with the body, in and out of a handstand, how it would respond to wind, rain, heat, and cold, as if it were a beetle, a dragonfly, or a flower. I will explore the new found qualities in relation to a prop – a giant magnolia flower that opens and closes, from bud to bloom, and lights up from the inside, casting shadows.

As a circus artist with a passion for dance and movement I am constantly looking for unconventional ways to present the skill of hand balancing. I am excited to find out how this body will interact with the flower prop and I look forward to creating and developing a new piece that is vibrant, aesthetically pleasing and awe inspiring.

I am a circus artist specializing in hand balancing, with a passion for movement. I have a diploma in Dance from Colaiste Stiofain Naofa, Cork and a diploma in Circus from Escuela de Circo Carampa, Madrid. Over recent years I have undertaken several intensive handstand courses and a 3 month course called ‘Artistic Development within the circus discipline’ at SKH in Stockholm which led to the creation of a 10 minute solo piece that I have been performing in Gala shows and festivals. I have also just reached the end of a two year creation process with a group of six other international artists of our second full length ensemble piece. The company is Cia Faltan 7 and the new show is called ‘SinSolo’ in which I perform hand balancing and group acrobatics. We have just premiered in the inauguration of the renowned festival ‘Feten’ in Gijon, Spain and hope to bring the show to Ireland at some point in the future.

Uillinn: West Cork Arts Centre acknowledges the financial support of The Arts Council  / An Chomhairle Ealaíon in making these residencies possible.