Evelyn Juers' new book, The Dancer: A biography for Philippa Cullen, presents a compelling biography of pioneering Australian dancer Philippa Cullen, who tragically died at just twenty-five in a remote town in India. 

Growing up in Australia during the 1950s and 60s, Cullen emerged in the 1970s as a uniquely talented dancer and choreographer, at the forefront of the new electronic music movement. Passionate about integrating dance with her own music, she collaborated internationally with avant-garde composers, engineers, and mathematicians to create innovative works, including theremins and movement-sensitive floors she termed "body-instruments." Her artistic journey took her to opera houses, art galleries, festivals, and unconventional venues like streets, bridges, and rooftops. Cullen famously defined dance as "an outer manifestation of inner energy in an articulation more lucid than language."

Juers draws on Cullen’s personal papers and the memories of those who knew her, crafting an intimate yet expansive portrait of this extraordinary artist. The Dancer reflects Juers' talent for connecting personal stories to broader cultural narratives, illuminating Cullen's artistic legacy and the era she embodied.