Director, composer and multi-instrumentalist, Lamine Sonko draws on traditional wisdom to create inter-disciplinary & multi-sensory arts experiences inspired by his cultural background as a guewel (hereditary cultural role) descendant of the Sing Sing clan and Korings of Kaabu, and a member of the Serer, Wolof and Mandinko cultural communities of Senegal.
As a guewel his role is to be a keeper and communicator of history, customs, rituals and sacred knowledge through music, dance and oral storytelling. Lamine Sonko’s artistic practice is informed by a lifetime of learning embodied cultural knowledge within his community. Beginning in early childhood, this cultural education is guided by community elders and takes place through observation and participation in sacred rituals and ceremonies including rhythmic, chant and dance traditions Through his work he defines new ways to present and re-imagine the traditional African, contemporary and traditional synthesis in the arts. As a composer, he has arranged and recorded award-winning music and has presented and performed throughout Australia and internationally.
