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Produced by Vanitas Arts
​Directed by Amanda Huxtable
 
When the famous jazz trumpet star Joss Moody dies the world learns that he was born a Black female. Joss had spent over 40 years with his breasts bound, in male clothing, and avoiding situations where he might be discovered. He had perceived his success as a jazz musician as an opportunity to live through art without the boundaries and structures that an oppressive society imposes to restrict individuals.
 
Inspired by Jackie Kay’s novel Trumpet, this project is developing an immersive reimagined version of the story combining the disciplines of performance, live music, theatre, dance and moving image.

Following on from audience evaluations we are developing Trumpet for full performance.
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​‘We go through life, we shed our skins,
​we become ourselves’
​Patti Smith

Vanitas Arts develops collaborative, digital based, TransMedia installations that explore the human condition through, video, photography, sound, live performance and words. The work explores issues of power, gender, social identities, oppression, exclusion and interconnected oppressive practices - all which have a contemporary resonance.
 
Recent work includes: The Journey of The Three Magi (digital portrait); AAAGRRR!; (Video and sound Installation); Definitions of She; (photographic portraits, video and live piece); The Economy of Sacrifice, digital instillation, The Lady of Situations (digital, TransMedia performance based installation.) 

​She was selected as a National AA2A TransMedia artist hosted by Sheffield Hallam University 2016/17.

​She is Director of Multi Award Winning campaign agency Diva Creative since its inception in 1997. (divacreative.com)

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​WE HAVE TO LIVE THROUGH METAMORPHOSIS TO UNDERSTAND WHO WE REALLY ARE ......

The launch of this Arts Council England funded, experimental collaboration, combining theatre. poetry, performance, digital art and music in an immersive performance at Theatre Delicatessen,  Sheffield on October 25th as part of Off the Shelf Festival of Words 2016

The collaboration between Shirley Harris and Seni Seneviratne resulted in an installation and immersive performance exploring themes of power and control, containment and punishment, gender identity, language and silence, trauma and recovery using ancient myths, which resonate with contemporary themes.

The ‘Lady of Situations’  project explores central themes through two mythical characters, Philomel and Tiresias. Delivered in a Vanitas style it comprises of photographs, video, performance, written and spoken word/poems, soundtrack. It was premiered at the 2016 Off the Shelf Festival, at Theatre Delicatessen and went on to performances and exhibitions at Bank St Arts and Exchange Place Studios. Over 500 people experienced and engaged with the installation throughout its development  and delivery.

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The Gift of Flesh
Reimagines the point when Gabrielle Berlatier, a farmer’s daughter, was gifted Vincent Van Gogh’s ear whilst she was working as a maid.