Starlight – Jessica Statham

Jessica Statham

JESSICA STATHAM is another name for electricity. She could power up a city grid with her command of the stage.

I have seen many great Flamenco dancers live including the great Eva Yerbabuena and the iconic Sara Baras. I was a student and amateur performer at the school and dance company of one of Australia’s veteran legends* and for a few sessions, Jessica herself.

I have photographed Jessica since 2014, on stage and for promotional imagery and videos with the group she performs with; solo for artistic shoots, the one shown here; for a Flamenco fashion shoot and have photographed many dancers and people whose bodies are their instruments and tool of trade.

I feel I can say with confidence that, in the world of Flamenco and dance in general, Jessica truly is a stand out.

Offstage while she carries herself with the bearing of the ballet trained Flamenco dancer she is, she has that classic Aussie down-to-earthness. She began her training in Sydney and performed for many years at the ‘La Campana’ (back when Sydney’s Spanish Quarter was HOT). Jessica moved to Madrid in the mid 00s, where she spent 5 years studying at the legendary Amor de Dios academy, considered a cultural icon of Spain.

Since moving back to Australia, she has been responsible for raising Sydney’s cultural appreciation bar. Jessica is a master in fluid command of an extraordinary gift, channeled and conveyed through her body. Watching Jessica perform, usually with the group she co-formed with the extraordinarily talented Damian Wright, Bandaluzia Flamenco**, is watching the core of Flamenco, dance and humanity in general come to life. It’s a connection to the core of… earth and self.

Jessica has duende.

You can’t describe duende, well I can but you’ll have to listen to me… because you have to feel duende.

I hope you get to experience Jessica and Bandaluzia Flamenco perform one day and also wish you duende.

*STARLIGHT on this Legend coming soon.

**Visual Story Dropping 25/04… and it’s pronounced BandaLUTHEEA

1. Current mood’s 5 favourite songs. What’s on a Flamenco dancer’s playlist?
My favourite songs really depend on the mood of the day & my playlist is definitely a little eclectic.

Bounces from GoGo Penguin to Diego del Morao to Gregory Alan Isakov to Kendrick Lamar to Mammal Hands to Doechii to Antonio Rey to Radiohead to Paul Kelly to Outkast to Robert Glasper.

I could keep going… I won’t. There’s so much amazing music being made, I couldn’t possibly choose only a few as favourites.

2. Which instrument would you play if you were in a rock band?
I would love to say I’d be the drummer but I know I’m not the drummer. Drummers support everyone and hold the music together. My brain makes busy sounds so maybe I’m better suited to the lead guitar solo.

[Ed’s notes: Drummers are the pulse but also The Coolest.

Flamenco dancers’ footwork, “zapateado”, is considered percussive, as are castanets and “palmas” so essentially Jessica is a drummer. She is also The Coolest.]

3. Is what you’re doing now what you have always wanted to be doing?
I knew (and apparently told people) when I was 3 that I was a dancer. I’ve always known.

What is more complicated is, as I age, and now that my body doesn’t respond as well as it used to to the demands of training and performing, how to become comfortable with the idea of doing something else.

4. Name a book that had an impact on you and why.
Translations of The Yoga Sutras.

Modern psychological theories think they’ve worked everything out but it’s really interesting when you read these texts and see that people had it figured out thousands of years ago.

How to look after yourself, how to be a valuable contributing member to the society we live in. Ideas to live life by.

7. Do you dance every day? For practice or pleasure?
I used to train every day, and I still do if we’re leading into a tour, but I’ve also learnt my body needs rest and recovery when we’re not.

That being said, you should see me daggy dance in my living room as I vacuum! I will always dance every day in some way

8. What keeps you going on hard days? What is faith to you?
Resilience and a belief that something better comes from making your way through.

9. What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done (so far)?
Nope, not telling you that one! Hahaha

10. What’s your idea of a perfect holiday?
There has to be a beach. Great friends/family (or alone), good food and a special book. Relaxation is essential.

11. If you could only keep five possessions, what would they be?
Tough question. I don’t have many material connections to things but I have a bookcase that my dad made for me and I will always keep that. A pair of flamenco shoes.

If everything else went away I’d work it out.

12. What’s your biggest indulgence?
Sunday morning sleep in! I feel guilty every time but I make myself a coffee, get back in bed and settle into a lower gear for the day.

So good!! (once I convince myself lower gear is a good idea

)

14. Is there a movie you could watch over and over again?
Might be daggy but I will never stop re-watching ‘Dirty Dancing’ (nobody puts Baby in a corner!) & for a series I will re-watch ‘Schitt’s Creek’ every year until I can’t anymore. Absolutely brilliant!!

15. What do you want to be remembered for?
I’m not really worried about being remembered.

Those who know me will remember me however they do, I have no control of that.

Hopefully people have enjoyed the work I’ve made and the people I’ve done it with have enjoyed those moments, I know I have! That’s all that matters really at the end of the day

16. THREE things you love about yourself…. and ONE thing you would change.
Determination, strength, resilience.

There are probably lots of things I should think about changing about myself but honestly as an artist and a middle aged woman I kinda like who I am right now so wouldn’t change a thing.

Jessica Statham

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