WenJie (Freddie) Chen(he/him), originally from Beijing, China, embarked on his dance journey at 17, upon his arrival in Australia in 2013. His initial foray into contemporary dance was under the guidance of Beth Lane, a Victorian College of the Arts alumni, at the Jane Moore Academy of Ballet. To deepen his understanding of dance, he pursued the VCE dance subject during his secondary education. In 2015, his dedication to dance led him to the Victorian College of the Arts, where he had the privilege of working alongside renowned choreographers such as Darren Vizer, Rochelle Carmichael, Benjamin Hancock, Kate Denborough, and Alisdair Mclndoe.

Freddie’s artistic exploration delves into the intriguing imperfections of narrative linear storytelling, pondering the impact of missing elements and the adaptation of the body when parts of it are unusable. His movement philosophy is deeply rooted in the interplay between internal states and external factors, where the initial stimulus received by the brain often dictates his movement. This dynamic interplay between following direct brain commands and allowing for spontaneous movement reflects the essence of his creativity. Freddie draws inspiration from the natural responses his body manifests in reaction to the external world, selecting specific movements from these responses as the foundation of his artistic expression. Through his work, Freddie seeks to unveil the power of “absence,” exploring how the negative spaces and capacities of our kinaesthetic awareness contribute to the fullness of artistic expression.