Ross Philip
BA Visual Arts University of Tasmania
Dedicated to the arts as an Australian artist since 1974
From protege of Ballet Victoria, Ross has toured the world performing from New York, Paris, London, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Rome, Bogota, to the open theatres of Athens.
Ross considers some of his career highlights as performing in Africa with Bat Dor Dance Company of Israel and sharing the stage with Barishnikov in the earlier part of his career. In 1997 Ross was invited to be a part of the creative force that make up Australian Dance Artists and continues to contribute creatively, choreographically and as a performer.
From the late 1970’s Ross enjoyed a long association with the Sydney Dance Company, co-working and collaborating closely with Graeme Murphy. As well as designing for works including Café and Shakespeare Dancers, which included designs for, both set and costumes, many principal roles were created especially for Ross include; Some Rooms, Nearly Beloved & King Roger. These works have been considered to be among some of the finest contemporary Australian works performed. In 1992, after being engaged exclusively with the Sydney Dance Company for fifteen years, Ross left to pursue other artistic projects including studying Visual Arts at The University of Tasmania. He returned many times over the next 6 years to perform his signature roles both here in Australia and Internationally. In 2006 he accepted Graeme Murphy’s invitation to make a guest appearance in the season of Director’s Cut which celebrated the Sydney Dance Company 30 years.
Internationally, Ross worked with notable luminaries of the dance world including Alvin Ailey and John Butler, and considers his most memorable performances across a career spanning four decades as being a Royal Gala Performance representing the Sydney Dance Company and guest appearances with Bangarra Dance Theatre. Ross was the first non-indigenous artist invited to perform with Bangarra. He has also been guest artist with One Extra Dance Company and invited to guest appear with The Australian Ballet in the mid 1980’s and again in the early 2000’s.
Ross’s achievements went beyond the stage where he carved his stealth career. Notably, Ross was commissioned to choreograph ‘crowd scenes’ for the Australian Federation Parade in 2000/2001.
Nominated for the Green Room Award for his role in Nearly Beloved, Ross continues to bridge the performing arts and visual arts with a “ total “ approach. His visual art capabilities were acknowledged with a Greenpeace Art Prize and more recently, Ross’s work of art was hung in the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman as well as being selected to participate in the Sculptures by the Sea exhibition in Sydney which showcases artists from around the world.
