Wild grace

The story of modern dance is known to be one of subversion. But it's less widely acknowledged how often its schisms concerned social attitudes towards women and feminist politics. From the late 1800s to the late 1950s, a diverse group of trailblazing women changed the face of dance, and in the process, contributed to shifting attitudes about women's bodies and rights. In 'Wild Grace', Sara Veale focuses predominantly on nine women, each of whom were instructive in the development of modern dance: Isadora Duncan, Louie Fuller, Maud Allan, Martha Graham, Sophie Maslow, Anna Sokolow, Pearl Primus, Katherine Dunham and Pearl Lang. These women conceived, directed and performed their own work, catalysing a powershift and transforming the visibility of female dancemakers in the 20th century.