Tributes have been paid to dance artist and choreographer Emma O'Kane, who has died aged 44, following a short illness.
Over the past two decades, Belfast-born Emma O'Kane had been one of the key proponents of modern dance in Ireland, both as a mainstay with CoisCeim Dance Theatre and in collaboration with other companies, from The Abbey and Project Arts Centre (where she was an Artist Member) to Rough Magic, Fishamble and Anu, across a diverse array of projects.
Watch: The Dance of Light, performed & choreographed by Emma O'Kane
Emma trained at the Perm State Choreographic Academy in Russia and had an MA in Dance from the University of Limerick; in recent years, she had been Dance Artist in Residence with the Mermaid Theatre in Bray.
We mourn the loss of a great friend & incredible artist, Emma O'Kane. This pic sums Emma's spirit up perfectly! Emma & Muirne Bloomer performed their Ballet Ruse at 2am to a rowdy crowd at Elec Picnic 2009. It was an unforgettable magic moment. We adore you Emma - Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/bo5eSC0Fov
— thisispopbaby (@thisispopbaby) February 10, 2021
A mercurial performer, those lucky enough to witness O'Kane in performance bore witness to a fearless and constantly inventive talent, one voted Outstanding Dancer of the Year by Dance Europe.
For CoisCeim alone, she appeared in over 20 major productions, including The Rite Of Spring, Mermaids, Chamber Made, Nutcracker, Knots, Missing, Out Of Harm's Way And Hanging On By A Thread, Touch Me, These Rooms (co-produced with Anu) and A Life Of Play, an outreach project for children and seniors.
Words cannot express our sorrow at the passing of Emma O'Kane. Her artistry, integrity & passion are part of the very fabric of who we are. Our thoughts are with her mum, Joy, family & friends. The light is dimmer on our stages & the sky shines brighter with its latest star. RIP. pic.twitter.com/FhiAfoXbqE
— CoisCéim (@CoisCeim) February 10, 2021
She worked as choreographer and movement director on numerous theatrical productions, including acclaimed collaborations with writer and performer Pat Kinevane on Fishamble's Underneath and Before.
Project Arts Centre said Emma was an extraordinary artist, leader and friend who leaves behind a long legacy of incredible dance and theatre performances on stages across the globe.
We are devastated by the news of the passing of Emma O Kane. She captured our hearts on and off stage; with each year that passed she grew artistically, explored new ways of working & making dance part of people's lives.
— Dance Ireland (@DanceIreland) February 10, 2021
She was a leading light in our community & will be missed. pic.twitter.com/VU5HbIuTUP
Coiscéim Dance Company said her artistry, integrity and passion are 'part of the very fabric of who we are' while Fishamble Theatre Company described Emma as a wonderful person, and amazing artist, who woudl be missed by the entire theatre community.
