Pakiboy²
29 March – 22 June 2025 at Campbelltown Arts Centre
‘Pakiboy²’, a provocative and deeply personal multi-channel film installation by artist Jiva Parthipan, will premiere on Saturday 29 March at Campbelltown Arts Centre. This unique work revisits and reimagines Parthipan’s seminal dance piece, first performed in London in 2000, confronting themes of identity, race, ageing, and desire through the lens of the artist’s lived experience.
The installation pairs archival footage of the original ‘Pakiboy’ (2000) performance with a newly filmed ‘Pakiboy²’ (2025) placing the artist in dialogue with his younger self, creating a poignant
and visually compelling exploration of his 50-year-old body, one that has not danced in over 20 years and is now diagnosed with a degenerative neurological condition, Parkinson’s Disease.
The project reflects on the artist’s journey through time, exploring the profound shifts in his body and identity over two decades. The journey of ‘Pakiboy²’ is one of resilience and creative
reinvention. Born in Sri Lanka, Jiva Parthipan’s practice has always been deeply rooted in the intersections of identity, race, sexuality, and social justice. Over his decades-long career, Parthipan has traversed mediums and continents, working as a dancer, filmmaker, and interdisciplinary artist in London, Sydney, Paris, South Africa, Switzerland and Dublin.
‘Pakiboy’ (2000) was a bold and groundbreaking work, tackling issues of race, desire, and queerness at a time when such conversations were far less visible in mainstream discourse. ‘Pakiboy²’ builds on this legacy, expanding its focus to include themes of ageing, vulnerability, and the profound changes that come with living in a body that is both evolving and affected.
Parthipan adds, “When you’re at a certain age, you think the world is yours. You feel like you can do anything you want. This work is about legacy, something I think about more now
because, as we age, our living bodies won’t be here forever.”
The installation mirrors Parthipan’s own transformation as an artist, as he adapts his creative practice to embrace his evolving physical capabilities. This newly commissioned work ignites
meaningful dialogue among those with shared experiences, captivating and enlightening a broader audience while inspiring education and driving change.
“Education and activism are part of the foundation of my work. My work investigates what happens to documentation and archival memory in ephemeral art forms. When the work ceases
to exist, what happens to it?” Parthipan said.
In developing ‘Pakiboy²’, Parthipan will collaborate with two of his most trusted creative partners and long-term collaborators. Award-winning filmmaker Zanny Begg brings her distinct visual
sensitivity to the project, transforming the work into an evocative and layered multi-channel film installation. Celebrated choreographer and dramaturg Martin del Amo plays a crucial role in
helping Parthipan navigate the physical and emotional terrain of restaging ‘Pakiboy ²’, infusing the work with a raw, contemporary resonance.
‘Pakiboy²’ traverses’ themes that resonate universally, offering a rare and honest exploration of personal and collective transformation, including the complexities of race, queerness and
gender.
‘Pakiboy²’ serves as both a celebration and an introspection, tackling these universal themes with honesty and poignancy, inviting audiences to reflect on the ever-changing nature of
identity, the body, and creative practice.
I’m exploring how to perform this piece within the constraints while also uncovering new possibilities, which gives it new life in a new country (Australia), with a fresh artistic perspective,
and with my current body,” he said.
He adds, “Some kinesthetic memories came back after just a couple of sessions of movement. Your body never forgets.”
Jiva Parthipan’s career has been a testament to the power of art as activism and introspection. From creating provocative performances that challenge societal norms to fostering meaningful
cross-cultural collaborations, his practice remains fearless, adaptive, and deeply human. ‘Pakiboy²’ epitomises his enduring commitment to exploring the most vulnerable aspects of life
through a lens of beauty, humour, and unflinching honesty.
‘Pakiboy²’ invites audiences to engage with the universal themes of identity and ageing while witnessing a powerful interplay between past and present. The project’s innovative approach
and deeply personal narrative position it as a standout in contemporary Australian arts.
“We are proud to showcase this powerful work after more than 20 years right here in our very own Campbelltown Arts Centre. This exhibition is a testament to the importance of having a
space where our community can experience art in all different forms.” Mayor of Campbelltown, Cr Darcy Lound said.
Mouna Zaylah, Director of Campbelltown Arts Centre added “This monumental work has been reinterpreted here in Campbelltown, further enriching the evolving legacy of Parthipan’s
practice, one that holds significant cultural value for both the performance community and the Western Sydney community. We are proud to present this powerful work that informs, and
challenges misconceptions and amplifies marginalised voices”.
