Photo by Liddy Tutuvanu IG: @xxiivanu
Siobhan Gibbs is a performance artist working across theatre, queer club performance, events, and community work. Siobhan uses both she and they pronouns. Graduating QUT in 2017, Siobhan embarked on finding a space in the cracks of capitalism, burrowing down into art as revolution. Siobhan created her solo work, SEWER RAT GIRL in 2021 to celebrate all aspects of her practice by slamming them together in a grotesque, high-energy theatre show. The show successfully toured in 2022, going to Adelaide Fringe, Sydney Fringe (nominated for Best Comedy) and an independent season at the Butterfly Club (Naarm). Then the show’s run concluded by headlining the Parlour at Woodford Folk Festival 23/24. Working with Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre, and Common People Dance Project, Siobhan has nurtured her practice by embracing her community and position in the local arts scene. Common People Dance Project saw Siobhan as Dance Captain of Ipswich and the Sunshine Coast for three years, teaching and choreographing up to 60 community members at a time, all leading to their performances at Horizon Festival (Sunshine Coast), Spark Festival (Ipswich) and Brisbane Festival.
Siobhan’s club drag persona, Gogo Bumhole, has skyrocketed onto the scene and has been dancing on queer nightlife stages across so-called Australia since debuting in 2020. Gogo has performed in Meanjin at The Brightside, The Princess Theatre, The Tivoli and at the Powerhouse with Polytoxic for their show IN YOUR DREAMS. And in 2023 after being crowned runner-up of QLD’s largest drag competition STARLET, Gogo performed at Brunswick Picture House in Cheeky Cabaret, Thursgay in Naarm and the Imperial in Warrane.
Siobhan/Gogo practice is multifaceted, both in methodologies and in the different personas. Training in Viewpoints, Butoh and Suzuki Method of Acting Training for five years with Zen Zen Zo has shaped Siobhan’s practice, and has been blended with her loved of vaudeville, clown and dance. Their practice invites you to hide with her in the shadows and dance in the glamour and the grime. Siobhan/Gogo has commenced the development of new solo show TUBE OF TRANSFORMATION (Working Title) with the support of Leah Shelton and Vulcana Women’s Circus in 2023, with a debut aimed for late 2024. Stay tuned.
II want to acknowledge that I work, live and play on Stolen Land. I acknowledge the Traditional Owners I call home in Magan-djin (Brisbane), the Jaggera and Turrbal people. I acknowledge all Elders, and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people whose lands I occupy. Soverignty was never ceded.
This was and always will be, Aboriginal land.
Colonisation must end.