Artist Mohammed Ali created an immersive blend of film, performance and discussion, showcasing his recent work on faith while building new collaborations in Melbourne. The event explored how, in divided times, the arts could foster community for people of all faiths and none — offering a space to connect openly, without having to hide personal beliefs.
Fear of Faith | Artistic Lead - Mohammed Ali
Mohammed Ali is the Artistic Director at Soul City Arts and has been collaborating with Dr. James Hodkinson for a number of years in the UK. During the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham back in 2022, Ali was commissioned to create an immersive theatrical show at the Birmingham Hippodrome. Supported by University of Warwick and University of Birmingham, the show ran for 10 days to a sold-out audience.
Ali brought elements of the show to Melbourne, where there were script readings and film sharing from the production, followed by a facilitated discussion.
Fear of Faith | Academic Lead - Dr. James Hodkinson
James Hodkinson is an academic and public engagement specialist, who divides his time between the UK Midlands, where he is Associate Professor at Warwick University, and Melbourne. He has been working with Mohammed Ali and Soul City Arts for a decade, though Fear of Faith makes their first collaboration on Australian soil.