In the foreground, a white woman holds a microphone with her mouth gaping wide open. She has long wavy brown hair. A loose dress that has shades of navy with large yellow flowers. Nail polish and glitter around her eyes. In the background to the left is a Korean man with glasses, greyish short hair blowing into a small nondescript instrument.

Unbound

31 Oct 7.30 PM East Sydney Community and Arts Centre

34/40 Burton St, Gadigal/Darlinghurst

Curated by Ria Andriani and Lamorna Nightingale

When we talk about music, we often focus on sound. But for many artists, the journey to creating music is a visceral exploration of the body, lived experience, and the world of barriers—both seen and unseen. Unbound is a concert that redefines what it means to be a musician, celebrating those who turn access challenges into a creative force.

Inspired by the concept of the social model of disability, Unbound challenges the notion that individuals are "impaired." Instead, it highlights how societal barriers are the true source of disability. For some, like Sonnet Curé, who has unilateral hearing loss, music is a journey of finding confidence and reclaiming moments of social awkwardness. Her work, Human Fish, explores the tension between identity and environment: why do we choose to stay and survive in places we cannot necessarily emotionally, physically and biologically endure?

For others, like singer-songwriter Melanie Eden, music is a powerful form of harm reduction. Her piece, No One To Be, explores the complex, ambiguous grief of living with inter-generational trauma and autism, turning her personal journey into raw, open, and healing art.

The program also features innovative collaborations that bridge the gap between technology and bodily movement. Percussionist and inventor Alon Ilsar shares his AirSticks—wearable devices that transform movement into sound—with Oliver House, a wheelchair dancer. In this new devised work, Oliver will perform a new piece, ‘Charge,’ with dancer Zoe Morgan and Alon on drums.

Also included in the program is Ria Andriani performing Molly Joyce’s song-cycle Form with Ensemble Offspring. Joyce is a US-based composer who acquired a physical disability after being involved in a car accident. Conform and Reform underscore the tension between what is perceived as physical or sensory impairment and what some might think is a diverse kind of normal.

Unbound shows that when barriers are removed, artists with disabilities are boundless in their creativity, talent, and virtuosity. This concert is an invitation to witness the visceral joy and grief that music can bring when we open our spaces, and our minds, to these incredible artistic forces.

Please be aware that No One To Be by Melanie Eden addresses strong content including, suicide, psychiatric harm, alleged child sexual abuse, drug use and violence. There will also be strong language. Audience will invited to extend their interval if they would prefer to not be in the space for this piece. They can then join us in the space for the final piece.