I am Monica, a dance artist, performance maker, and advocate for movement and environment. Throughout my artistic and life journey, I have explored the spaces where body, mind, and ecology intersect—paying close attention to the emotional and physical stories that emerge from our shared, embodied existence in the landscape we inhabit. My practice is rooted in gentle environmental activism, blending somatic approaches with performance art. What fascinates me is how fleeting, intimate moments can connect to something larger—a universal human story or an ongoing dialogue with the more-than-human. I work across contemporary dance, physical theatre, somatic movement (Body-Mind Centering®), and draw inspiration from traditional forms such as Gambuh theatre, as well as puppetry. I believe in creating performances that respond to their surroundings and their audiences—making work accessible, open, and inclusive. To me, performance is a conversation: between space, audience, and performers.

Over the past fifteen years, I’ve had the privilege to create and perform both in the UK and internationally, developing work grounded in ecological and social awareness. My training with ODIN Teatret and Tanztheater Wuppertal (Julie Stanzack), combined with a PhD in environmental science, gives me a unique perspective that bridges body, mind, and environment—integrating movement practice with ecological consciousness.

I’ve felt ecologically aware since I was a child. I remember feeling a sense of harmony and peace whenever my family went on trips to the forest or the seaside. Those moments immersed in nature made me curious—always just happy to observe how the elements of the environment played together and being life force. Nature always felt like a space where I could connect deeply with something bigger than myself: a quiet and powerful awareness of the world around me. As I grew into my teenage years, this awareness turned into action. I became politically active, passionate about social and environmental justice. I saw how these issues were intertwined—how protecting the environment was also about caring for communities and ensuring fairness. This became a driving force behind my artistic practice and my life.