Quillette Podcast Enforced Ideological Conformity Among British Artists
Jun 4, 2025
Rosie Kay, a British dancer and choreographer and co-founder of Freedom in the Arts, discusses the challenges artists face amid increasing ideological conformity. She highlights the risks associated with expressing honest views on women's rights and the broader societal implications for creative expression. Kay shares her personal journey of resilience against cancellation and the impact of shifting gender ideologies within the dance community. The conversation reveals the urgent need for artistic freedom and the threats posed by self-censorship in today's arts landscape.
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Dance Sparked New Political Life
- After career setbacks from political stances, Rosie Kay found courage through creating her solo show Adult Female Dancer.
- Dance gave her a 'new life' that combines art with political advocacy outside her previous bubble.
Choreography Is Collaborative
- The choreographer-dancer relationship is pedagogic, collaborative, and nurturing across generations.
- Political views were part of dialogue but not dominant in this intimate and evolving creative process.
Creating 'Five Soldiers' Dance
- Rosie Kay spent a year embedding with an infantry battalion and injured soldiers to create the dance show Five Soldiers.
- The show explores the physical and psychological impacts of war on soldiers' bodies.