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A dancer performing a complex pose on stage, balancing on one foot with the other leg bent and raised, and arms extended gracefully.
Two women are engaged in an intimate embrace, with one woman gently placing her hand on the other's head and the second woman holding her face with her hand. The scene appears emotional, with both women displaying intense expressions. The background is dark, emphasizing the connection between the two individuals.
Two women are engaged in an intimate embrace, with one woman gently placing her hand on the other's head and the second woman holding her face with her hand. The scene appears emotional, with both women displaying intense expressions. The background is dark, emphasizing the connection between the two individuals.

Body Island is an interdisciplinary arts organisation based in Aotearoa New Zealand, creating performance, movement research, and embodied learning grounded in Indigenous knowledge, somatic practice, and collaborative making.

Black and white photo of four people standing close to each other on stage. They are engaged in an expressive performance with their eyes closed and hands intertwined, creating a circular formation. The background is dark and plain.
People gathered in a modern lobby with marble walls, a staircase with glass railings, and wood panels on the wall. Some are talking, others are walking or standing. A woman with red gloves is at the bottom of the stairs.

We are currently developing Mythosoma, our Current performance work and Somatactics, a movement methodology emerging from twenty years of practice at the intersection of contemporary dance and ConTact C.A.R.E bodywork.

Two individuals lying on the floor, one with dark curly hair and the other with short dark hair, sharing a kiss with their eyes closed. The person with curly hair has facial piercings and is waving a hand, while the other person has a tattoo on their arm. The scene has a relaxed, intimate vibe.

Body Island makes performance, teaches movement, and develops methodology. Our work moves between the studio, the stage, and the community, in Aotearoa and internationally.

We are co-directed by Kelly Nash and Nancy Wijohn, artists and practitioners whose work spans choreography, somatic bodywork, research, and facilitation. Our practice is grounded in the understanding that the body is a site of knowledge, memory, and creative intelligence.

2026–2027  |  Mythosoma in Auckland / Vancouver international programme 2027. Senior Producer Yirramboi 2027 and Kaitiaki/Associate Producer Experimental Dance Festival Aotearoa 2026, SomaTactics workshop development 26/27. Intergenerational community project 2027. Postgraduate research at Toi Whakaari 26/27.