Today we’d like to introduce you to Jewel Barnwell.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jewel. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started at UCSD in 2014, with dreams of one day working in a lab, pursuing a degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. During my second quarter, a violent experience completely imposed on the trajectory of life as I knew it. I found refuge in my room, as I sought rest from revolution. My voice quaked, yet I stood. And fell many times. I decided to withdraw to take a healing year off from classes and campus. I worked at a tea shop and nursed myself in love. I reapplied and returned as a student of Chemistry. The first class I registered for being a Beginning Contemporary class. I remember sitting in class on the first day and holding back tears, knowing that I had found my place. I needed to Dance. We began most classes laying on the floor with our eyes closed embodying self and then whirling through the space on impulse and in exploration. I loved it here. I began to dance with and for friends and colleagues on and off campus.
Two months later, I composed my first solo, “what is Reclamation.”, accompanied by a live drummer, Yiriba. I began each performance by pausing before each stand and meeting the gaze of every audience member. I found inspiration in and looked up to dancers and writers like Kathryn Dunham, Pina Bausch, Josephine Baker and Saidayah Hartman. Dance became my major and my passion. My path and my chosen voice. The following year, I choreographed my first ensemble, “what have i found in your blank stares, in my reflection; on my way Ho(e)me?”, exploring musicality, intersection, disorientation, survivorship, sexuality, Black joy, and collective healing. I have found life in creating space for truth, texture, storytelling, and questions. Since graduation, I have been creating and collaborating as a guest choreographer and dancer for UCSD Dance and Theatre productions and freelance work throughout San Diego county. I dream of taking my craft to New York City to audition, collaborate, and continue my research and expansion as a Black Queer Trans creative and performance artist. COVID has put a brief hold on my moving plans, but I intend on relocating to the East coast next Spring after I finish directing my short film for UCSD’s WinterWORKS production. Until then, I have fostered my own space as a creative dance studio and am overjoyed to be finding footing in the digital world we are in by creating and collaborating virtually and remotely.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been a difficult road with several challenges. Traumatic experiences, mental health, self-doubt and imposter syndrome, racism and anti-blackness have all acted as barriers. I have had to learn acceptance and discipline in transcendence. I have had to navigate tokenization and rejection. I have had to learn to choose joy and presence. I have had to learn again and again that my voice resonates and matters, in order to choose to keep moving. I am learning again and again to unlearn fear. I always find myself in movement.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am an improvisation artist. I experiment with elements of both Dance and Theatre. My performances and processes are highly informed by authentic movement that is generated on impulse and through storytelling. I advocate for the empowerment, healing, and hearing of Black Queer Trans survivors. I beg audiences to consider their roles as voyeurs to showings and to systemic oppression by exploring raw realities and stunning truths. My movement draws from the intersections of all my lived experiences and dreams, my Caribbean culture, queerness, and several movement vocabularies like jazz, tap, contemporary, and Tahitian.
What were you like growing up?
The first thing I ever did was dance. I remember my first and only Hip-Hop recital at the age of six. I stopped dancing with the academy soon after because of family struggles. But I loved it there. I grew up shy, interested in getting good grades and playing basketball. I have also always been a free-spirit, following my heart and the wind in the spur of a moment. Embodying laughter. My ambition to be, live, and feel fully has always been with me. I was very active, goal-oriented, and driven to stages. I picked up and explored many different practices and opportunities to perform or compete, like musical theatre, choir, talent shows and hurdles. I had a 4.5 GPA and graduated with honors, and still found time to create adventure in every setting. Whether it be in my head or in an invitation for others to set themselves free with dance and song. I struggled to find stability at home, but my determination to create a better life for myself drove me to center joy and curiosity.
Contact Info:
- Email: oliviajeweldance@gmail.com
- Instagram: @yuh__rass
Image Credit:
Jim Camrody, Justin Morrison, and Angeles “Papi” Tellez
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