Looking into trauma, inspiration and finding family.
Ahead of his solo debut, trailblazing dancer Joshua Taliani offers thoughts and insight into this special work – Unveiling Shadows.
Warning: this article contains references to suicidal ideation.
News · 26 August 2025
In Detail: Joshua Taliani on Unveiling Shadows
How would you describe this work in 100 words?
“Unveiling Shadows” is a personal look into how trauma and the pieces of our past shape who we are. It’s about facing old ghosts — even past versions of ourselves — to uncover lessons we didn’t know we were carrying. It’s a mental and emotional journey, digging through memories to make sense of where we’ve been and what we’ve learned along the way.
Image: Unveiling Shadows Creative Development (Metro Arts, 2024) Photo by Jade Ellis
All artists have a creative process, what's yours?
Honestly, it’s a bit all over the place — it really depends on the setting or environment I’m in when I’m trying to draw inspiration. I usually go with my first instinct or idea, no matter how big or small, and then build around it or find things that connect to it. Layering is a big part of the process for me — it gives you the freedom to pull things apart or shift them as you go.
Image: Unveiling Shadows Creative Development (Metro Arts, 2024) Photo by Jade Ellis
Unveiling Shadows carries heavy themes...
This work explores the contemplation of suicide. It’s more of the web of traumas that you face when it comes to those silent moments that get you to that point. So this more dabbles on the flashbacks that I’ve had, it reflects based on those silent times, because at the end of the day, it goes through the things that made me love a lot of things, to the loss of a lot of things, to where I am now, and finding that strength.
This is a piece that is dear to me, with the audience able to join in this space as my story of healing occurs right in front of them.
Image: Unveiling Shadows Creative Development (Metro Arts, 2024) Photo by Jade Ellis
Who is your perfect audience member?
ARTISTIC QUEER PEOPLE OF COLOUR
In mob you experience homophobia, in the gay scene you experience racism, and then you find Ballroom and you find your place.
Image: The House by The House of Alexander (Brisbane Festival, 2022) Photo by Joel Devereaux
Creative design is a major component of this work, how did this come about?
Working with Steven May, Lighting Designer, Ebony Webb and Josephine Reid, Production Designers, has opened up the deep meaning and story through Design elements.
The New Benner Theatre is filled with chairs, covered in plastic drop sheets and lit by a spectrum of light. It’s through these elements, combined with my movement, that Unveiling Shadows comes to life.
Image: Unveiling Shadows Creative Development (Metro Arts, 2025) Image provided by Ebony Webb and Josephine Reid
How did this work begin to come together?
In 2022, I was asked if I wanted to be a part of the First Nation Artist in Residency with Metro Arts and at the time I had just come off Betwixt led by Wanida Searce. So the opportunity seemed great to grab at. The concept for Unveiling Shadows started by addressing the idea of “what is unspoken” in our lives and in my life. After doing the initial creative development I decided to try and go for Art’s Queensland’s First Nation’s Commissioning Fund and I got it! So here we are, with a piece that is dear to me, my story of healing right in the moment as you watch.
Image: Unveiling Shadows photo shoot (Metro Arts, 2024) Photo by KTB Media
What do you want people to feel after Unveiling Shadows?
I hope audiences leave with an honest sense of wonder towards me, maybe even a little chuffed to know I’ve come out on the other side, proud of all of it.
Image: Betwixt by Pink Matter (Metro Arts, 2022) Photo by Jade Ellis
Header images by Jade Ellis.
Unveiling Shadows is co-presented by Brisbane Festival 2025, supported by Arts Queensland through the First Nations Commissioning Fund, Supported by BlakDance
