Mekeo People
Born 1973, Mekeo Area, Central Province, Papua New Guinea
Lives and works in Darwin, Australia

Julia Mage'au Gray is a dancer, choreographer, tattooist, photographer and film-maker who is interested in exploring her Papuan and Mekeo heritage within an urban Australian context. Her performances frequently combine dance with evocative video narratives. Now based in Darwin, Gray co-founded the performance group Sunameke in 1997. Dress or adornment, including the marking of the body with tatu (tattoo), is often of particular significance in her performances and films. Best foot forward 2011 features Gray's sister Yolanda walking along an Australian road dressed in a Mekeo skirt customarily worn for performance, which contrasts with her red high heels. Mage'au Gray also features in APT8's Yumi Danis (We Dance) performance project.