suns.works

Cecilia Bengolea presents
SHELLY BELLY INNA REAL LIFE (2020, 24min)
A short film on contemporary Jamaican dance


Featuring Major Mission, Erika Miyauchi, Kissy McKoy, Craig, Nick, Jay, Shaky and Prince Blackeagle, Cecilia Bengolea, Shelly Belly, Overload Skankaz Oshane, Overload Skankaz Teroy, Giddy Elite Team, Alii and Lee Twinstarzz, Shanky, Winkyy and Larry Equanoxx



On view: Thursday February 18, 6pm (CET) – February 25, 2021

Shelly Belly inna Real Life was recorded in Jamaica between 2015–2019 and is the result of a long term exchange between artist and choreographer Cecilia Bengolea and the dancehall scene in Kingston and Bog Walk. The eponymous 'Shelly Belly’ is an influential Jamaican dancer. Combining field recordings, documentary footage, Bengolea’s short film is losely shifting perspectives from spectator to collaborator –    exploring the relation between the individual and the collective body, between signature steps/choreographies and the Caribbean island’s urban and nature landscape. Prod. support: The Vinyl Factory UK, Thyssen-Bornemisza Contemporary (TBA21)


– Cecilia Bengolea (*Buenos Aires, 1979) lives and works in Paris, where she translates her practice of anthropological community dance through video, sculpture and installation. Bengolea has collaborated with dancehall artists such as Craig Black Eagle, Bombom DHQ, Damion BG. Alongside François Chaignaud, Bengolea founded the dance group Vlovajob Pru, and the duo have won several awards, including the Prix de la Critique de Paris in 2009 and the Young Artist Prize at the Gwangju Biennial in 2014. Together they create pieces for their company as for Ballet de Lyon (2013), Ballet de Lorraine (2014), Pina Bausch Tanztheater Wuppertal (2015). Bengolea’s work has been widely exhibited, including at the Gwangju Biennial; Biennale de Lyon; Tate Modern, London; Faena Arts Center, Buenos Aires; Institute of Contemporary Art, London; Dia Art Foundation, New York; Spiral Hall, Tokyo; Biennale de São Paulo; Hayward Gallery, London; Elevation 1049, Gstaad; Palais de Tokyo, Paris; Fiorucci Art Trust, Stromboli, Italy; Dhaka Art Summit; and the Centre Pompidou, Paris.


– The artist and suns.works invite you to learn from the dancers in Jamaica via Zoom Lessons – available from February 18 – February 28, 2021. –>Book your lesson today!