About

Zoë Bastin is a choreographer, performer, researcher, and educator with a practice deeply rooted in the expressive and critical dimensions of contemporary dance. Known for her dynamic and experimental approach to movement, Zoë’s work explores the intersections of gender, sexuality, and cultural influence, creating performances that challenge conventional expectations and encourage audience engagement beyond passive spectatorship. As the first queer woman to serve as artistic director of a contemporary dance company in Australia, Zoë continues to shape and contribute to Naarm/Melbourne’s vibrant dance community.

Completing her PhD at RMIT University in 2021, Zoë’s research examined the philosophy of the body through a queer-feminist lens, engaging with critical theory and phenomenology to challenge and expand representations of bodies in dance. Her creative works and academic inquiries often intersect, leading to performances that are both conceptually rigorous and viscerally affecting. In her performance That Which Was Once Familiar (TWWOF), Zoë explored how cultural norms inscribe gender and sexuality onto bodies, often objectifying them. Presented by Dancehouse and Bus Projects for Midsumma Festival, the work deconstructs femininity’s restrictions and reimagines queer autonomy on stage.

Over the past decade, Zoë’s work has been supported by leading cultural institutions such as Dancehouse, Abbotsford Convent, Villa Lena Art Foundation (Italy), and ImPulstanz Festival (Austria) and has been presented both in Australia and Internationally. Recently, her project Waves Are Disturbances explores social histories tied to oceanic environments, translating these narratives into immersive site-responsive performances. With a growing portfolio of cross-disciplinary collaborations, including a long term partnership with composer Grace Ferguson, Zoë continues to push the boundaries of contemporary dance by weaving together choreography, sculpture, and performance art in innovative ways.

Zoë’s dedication to mentorship and education has led her to academic roles at Deakin University, where she teaches interdisciplinary subjects bridging fine arts and performance. She also actively contributes to the governance and strategic direction of arts organisations, advocating for inclusive, research-driven, and socially aware artistic practices that enrich both audiences and the broader community.

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Speaking and Writing