Hagar Shachal
For me, art is more than expression; it is a lifeline, an act of laying my heart bare, a breath of fresh air. Each stroke, each movement, is a longing – a desire to wake up into the act of creation, to embody sensitivity, and to reveal a raw expression of vulnerability.
I am Hagar Shachal, a professional contemporary dancer, preformer and multidisciplinary artist, born and raised in Israel. My art springs from the meeting point of my passions and life struggles, where words fail to capture the depth of emotions. Creativity, for me, is a natural outlet, a way to express what can't be put into words. It's like breathing life into the complex feelings that are hard to grasp, making them tangible and relatable.
Growing up, I grappled with the feeling of being misunderstood, lost in a world that seemed indifferent to my struggles. I was labeled with ADHD and handed prescriptions I refused to take. But within the realm of art, I discovered my voice. It became my refuge, a space where I could articulate myself without the constraints of intellectual norms.
Dance became my first language, my ultimate passion. For 15 years, I moved as a contemporary dancer. Nine of those years were spent as a professional dancer in the renowned Vertigo & Kibbutz contemporary dance companies.
I grew to become a lead dancer in both companies, participating in the development of dozens of dance works and performing on a myriad of internationally acclaimed stages (Sydney Opera House, Baryshnikov Art Center, etc). Dancing became the center of my life, my daily occupation, and gave me an anchor and meaning to life.
Yet, my artistic passion and need to express myself led me to explore diverse mediums – painting, photography, poetry, videography, and more. These artistic avenues allowed me to delve deeper into the labyrinth of my emotions, capture additional shades, and present them in new ways. I found myself becoming a conduit for ideas seeking expression through various forms.
My inspiration comes from hidden fantasies, the aspects of nature that have eluded us, and the undeniable suffering woven into the tapestry of life. Each piece is an attempt to capture the essence of vulnerability, a desire to reveal something raw. A way to blend the tangible with the abstract, allowing thoughts, feelings and visual concepts to blend seamlessly.
Education
2023
Meera Art Therapy
2022–2023
Focusing Therapeutic Methodology
2014
Flying Low with Zambrano, Intensive Dance Program
2011–2012
Maslool, Professional Dance Program
2009–2011
Thelma Yellin High School of the Arts, Dance Program
2010 & 2011
Salzburg School of Contemporary Dance, Summer Intensive
Dance Companies & Productions
2017–2020
Vertigo Dance Company
• One, One & One
• White Noise
• Leela
2012–2017
Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company
• Horses in the Sky
• If at all
• Mother's Milk
• Blackout
• Edmemoire
• PICH by Martin Harriague
Additional Projects & Activities
2021–Present
Lanua, Movement Collective
• Developed offerings and events that use movement as a tool to heal
• Moved over 300 individuals throughout Israel & Overseas
2020–Present
Yoga Teacher & Movement Facilitator
• Led numerous dance and yoga retreats in Israel and abroad, including at the acclaimed Kea Retreat