On the Couch with Chrissie Parrott

Chrissie Parrott - photo by Stefan Gosatti Who is Chrissie Parrott?
Chrissie Parrott is dance maker and a practicing artist who works across the disciplines of theatre, digital art, painting and decorative design. Her professional performance based practice stretches across more than 40 years. Presently developing her writing skills and about to enrol into university at 65 to study and research sustainable lifestyles and social justice.

What would you do differently to what you do now?
I love painting and design and if I had have had more time aside from family and my dance career, I would have loved to have ventured into set painting and stage design. However I could unlikely replace the love of being in a space with generous and brilliant artists who are there interpreting my ideas, acting out inside my imaginary landscape, and discovering the inner logic of new work.

Who inspires you and why?
My incredible father his teachings of generosity empathy and his wicked sense of humour, my days with him are filled with laughter and silliness! My son who manages to deal with his MS in a graceful and quiet way, he inspires me as I watch him push through the barriers and evolve into a beautiful human being.

What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I have a great in interest social justice and concepts that focus on the relationship among human groups, like decreasing or eliminating inequity , promoting diversity and establishing environments that are supportive of all people.

Favourite holiday destination and why?
Avignon in southern France and Nannup in southern WA both with similar undulating terrain, the dry heat of summer and magical misty winter mornings.

When friends come to town, what attraction would you take then to, and why?
I always want to show them the coastline. We are so blessed here in WA with stunning beaches and there is nothing like watching the myriad colours of sunset as the sun slips into the sea.

What are you currently reading?
Stigmata by Helene Cixous – this French feminist’s brilliant words are my constant companion. The Pigeon by Patrick Suskind.

What are you currently listening to?
The new score written by the New Zealander Eden Mulholland which will accompany In Lore Act II – my latest dance work for Co3 Australia’s WA Dance Maker’s Project. It weaves haunting cello, voice, spoken word and vast open granular space, an ideal filmic-style score for this new dance work.

Happiness is?
Cool misty mornings and fresh country air, a long view from an elevated vista looking out toward the horizon, eating King Prawns and fresh fruits and sipping cold bubbly with my family and friends.

What does the future hold for you?
I hope to continue my artistic practices in dance theatre and visual and decorative arts while living on my small property in the South West where I hope create an intimate artists’ residency space for visiting artists to come and stay, create and share with me. Enjoying a sustainable lifestyle growing fresh produce and being part of the co-operative community that resides in the beautiful town of Nannup in the South West of WA.

Chrissie Parrott‘s latest work, In-Lore Act II, will be presented as part of Co3’s WA Dance Makers Project at Studio Underground – State Theatre Centre of WA: 12 – 16 September 2018. For more information, visit: www.co3.org.au for details.

Image: Chrissie Parrott – photo by Stefan Gosatti