Jessica Nupen is choreographer, performer and creator based in Germany. Born in South African to anti-apartheid activist parents, Nupen’s work is heavily inspired by her South African background. Her pieces have received features in publications and organisations such as CNN Inside Africa, Business Day, and Forbes Woman Africa. Nupen’s work seeks to rebel against the physical, emotional and structural oppression that still exists in South Africa today, and she cites Johannesburg as a hugely inspirational space for her work. For Season 4 of the Centre for the Less Good Idea, Nupen is using the limitless possibilities available to her through the Centre’s resources and other artists, and is embracing failed and fleeting ideas as a means of generating new work. Nupen will also be working with fellow Season 4 performers to present her dance piece Don’t Trust The Border which will include performers from both South Africa and Germany.

WRITING | Dave Mann
PHOTOGRAPHER | Zivanai Matangi