At PICA we recognise that we are situated within the unceded lands of the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation. We pay our respects and offer our gratitude to Elders past and present. We acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the importance of their care and continued connection to culture, community and Country.

Always was, always will be.

Galleries are open 12–5pm. Our exhibitions are always free.

Sarah Nelson

Hyper Local Artist-in-Residence

Hyper Local Artist-in-Residence

This residency will support the continued development of Into the Fog, an innovative interdisciplinary performance work integrating object manipulation, moving image and illusion. 

This stage of development will support sustainable practice with continued exploration of nonconventional lighting techniques that are simple and effective in communicating the inner experience of chronic illness, and further development of the physical score in conjunction with sound and light design.

Lose yourself in a world where furniture comes to life, rugs rise like mountains, and lampshades wear people. Into The Fog is playful, surreal, and visually striking, pulling you into a visceral inner world.

Inspired by the artist’s experience of prolonged isolation with Long Covid and the subsequent development of FND, this visually rich, genre-defying performance blends physical theatre, object manipulation and projection art.

As millions continue to navigate the aftermath of Covid, Into The Fog sheds light on the unprecedented rise of a new chronic illness—set against a universal story of disruption, loss, love, and hope—exploring the deeply human experiences of vulnerability, resilience, and our capacity to change.

About the artist

Sarah Nelson is an independent performer, producer & multidisciplinary artist based in Walyalup / Fremantle. Sarah has over 20 years professional experience performing & collaborating with all the local major theatre companies including Barking Gecko Theatre, Black Swan State Theatre & Spare Parts Puppet Theatre. She was a lead puppeteer in National Theatre’s globally renowned War Horse & has toured internationally with The Last Great Hunt across North America, Japan & South Africa, alongside performing for UK’s leading full mask theatre company Vamos, touring across UK & Europe.  Sarah is the creator of the award-winning film portraiture project Mobile Moments & received a PAWA nomination for ‘Outstanding Performer in a Leading Role’ for her performance inUnheimlich (PICA, 2021). She recently starred in the hit web series Out of Here,  and is 2025 Minderoo Foundation  Artist Fund Recipient.

Creative team

Concept, Director, Performer, Producer: Sarah Nelson
Co-creator, Performer: Jacob Lehrer
Sound Design + Composition: Tristen Parr + Felicity Groom
Lighting + Visual Design: Tee Ken Ng
Creative Coder + Technical Design: Steve Berrick
Production Assistant, Construction, Dramaturg: Matthew Scurfield
Dramaturg, Understudy: Jo Morris
Producing Support: Arie Rain Glorie 

Supporters

PICA’s Studio Program is supported by PICA’s Art Ambassadors.