Iona

1973-2026

Iona Kewney was a dancing paradox: feral sprite; anarchist angel, punk diva, badass elfin. She often shocked as well as delighted audiences who were used to less. She slipped through genre and discipline like few before her. She was a unique, beautiful performer in an industry that expects you to stay in your lane.

She often said she particularly hated the perimeters of “dancey dance” as she cheekily termed it. I think she held the hierarchy of dance, with all of its boundaries, taste makers and money in contempt, but was too lovely to directly address that. We all know they exist in our late capitalist, box ticking society.

Onstage she seemed at times possessed, or airborne. She flew above cliche, easy definition, her small body defiant armour against the quotidian buzz of simple language. You soared Iona, and we were lucky to know you for that brief instant of time.