Angela Zhang

My piece Overture: Pandemonium is inspired by my personal experience navigating the chaotic transition into adulthood. As I moved into the next major stage of my life, the overwhelming noise of university, work and the ever-expanding online world became more present — the ambient sounds of phones texting, trains crossing, ears ringing, rain and thunder and more. Almost like a kind of organised chaos. I aim to capture these fluctuating waves of chaos — with moments of intensity and confusion and the occasional sense of fleeting calm through rhythmically dissonant motifs and deceptive serenity. I also aim to mirror the tension, agitation, and rare stillness found that shape modern life.

Moonbow is a piece inspired by the delicate concave shape of the colourful light refractions from the moon. A calm, graceful interpretive dance with a simple melody that presents itself in waves of ebb and flow, along with a sense of playfulness intertwined throughout. This piece evokes a whimsy sense of fragility and was created with sections of adrenaline and excitement in mind as this was originally performed for the elderly, some with dementia.

Sketch Ensemble collaborate with the UQ Centre for Western Civilisation to bring this silent-era film to life. It is part of a yearly tradition for the ensemble to collaborate with the Centre for Western Civilisation in their interdisciplinary practice.

My piece Nocturne is inspired by the dark and ominous nature of the unknown. It seeks to capture the night-like essence of uncertainty — a vast, shadowy space where nothing can be seen and only heard. Each motion feels amplified, creating the feeling of unease and invites one to sit with discomfort and explore the profound mystery and beauty that lies hidden in darkness. Through the interplay of silence and agitation, I aim to evoke the tension that exists within the night hour and unknown. I also aim to encapsulate the ominous and dark ethereal sounds of the night in this piece.

“The Crow and The Lily” revolves around the storyline of the forbidden friendship between a crow and a lily. “The Crow”, represents such a sad and lonely creature with the feeling of pure sorrow. “The Lily” mimics growing flowers and blooming passion and potential.

Magical and mystical moments such as musical birds and parting trees opening to reveal a colourful landscape away from the garden. Cadence (2023) reflects such a sad reality and the full sound of the symphony orchestra paints the story displaying the duality of the world we live in.Description of Animation:
Azar and her young daughter Nedah share a sheltered life in a home surrounded by trees. Their routine is disrupted when Nedah encounters a bird’s curious chirping; she innocently repeats its cadence causing the trees that confine their garden to part and reveal an outside world of wonder. With Nedah wanting to explore this new world, and Azar terrified of what lies ahead for her youngest child, will Azar once again repeat her mistakes?Writer and Director: Ava Rasouli-Matin
Producer: Amy Ni

“Legend of the Tides” is a theme with variations that follows the ebb and flow of the ever-changing flow of an ocean tide. It is unpredictable, majestic and has a life of its own. It embraces the mysterious and ominous of an early morning tide along with a majestic waltz. The ocean is alive and full of life harsh, complex and agitating surging tides.

The slow feeling of emptiness evolves into the dramatic and chaotic madness of the feeling of forever. When is the end? When will it be over? Eternity evolves and manifests in many different ways and consumes the mind.