Emily Spooner

SPOONERMANN COLLECTIVE

A collaboration with Jeff Mann

Within the framework of experimental video, our collective practice draws upon diverse practices such as hand-drawn animation, puppetry, and physical theatre to develop folkloric worlds and stage stories that engage with the shadows of modernity. We are interested in exploring alternative ways of being in the world, rooted in place, culture, and a connection to both the human and more-than-human. Myth and enchantment are central to our practice, which seeks to challenge imperialist frameworks and foster a deeper sense of belonging and wonder. Our narratives take inspiration from storytelling and fairytale traditions from within our lineages to offer narratives that defy, subvert, or reframe western capitalist perspectives. The intersection of the interests and skills between us and our many collaborators determines the way in which our narratives are told, and how. Our collective practice is rooted in a desire to move away from conventional ideas of artistic autonomy, inviting collaboration to unfold in playful, non-linear ways that honour the dynamic interplay of all involved.