Dance Artist, Choreographer
Monika Szpunar is a dance artist and choreographer working internationally, mostly between Poland, the Czech Republic, France and the UK. She received her training at ACTS/École de Danse Contemporaine in Paris and the London Contemporary Dance School. In 2016, she spent 7 months in Brazil, studying at Unicamp University in Campinas and collaborating with local artists such as Fernando Martins, Bibi Doria and Rafaela Sahyoun.
Szpunar’s choreographic experience ranges from creating black box pieces and working as a movement director for theater and film productions to making site-specific and outdoor performances. She is interested in bringing movement to new, unconventional spaces, using dance for social activism and exploring the intersection of choreography with other disciplines.
Monika co-creates the choreographic initiative called sisterhood practices (Aerowaves Artist 2024) as well as a movement band BADBODYCHAOSCODE and works at Krakow Choreographic Centre.
THREE SCULPTURES/ BODIES (2022) performance around Ursula von Rydignsvard’s sculptures presented at the National Museum in Krakow; TANECZNIE I SOLIDARNIE (2020) dance protest; and 100m (2022) prize-winning short dance film, are just some of examples of Monika’s recent artistic creations.
As a dancer, she works with Tatiana Julien (En fanfaaare!), POCKETART-J.Pocková & S.Bočková (Fairy Tales), Viktor Černický (PRIMA), Weronika Pelczyńska (Still Standing, The Sculptress), Kasia Witek (Memory Score) among others. She also performs with the alternative performative jazz band Robert Diabeł created by Natan Kryszk.
Since 2022, Monika has been developing her project HOLD ONTO THE WIND as well as its sister project HOLD ONTO DANCE — an initiative involving workshops and performances with seniors, creating spaces for people to meet and connect.