ABOUT
penkovagarden is a continuously evolving structure initiated by Swedish choreographer Liza Penkova. As its name suggests, it is a garden: a space for poetic and academic reflections on the aesthetics and aisthesis of movement based dance and choreography within the context of performing arts.
the aim is to cultivate dialogue with and about the meaning making processes in dance and choreography across time and culture through
- performance making
- cross-disciplinary collaboration
- education
Liza Penkova is a Swedish choreographer based in Gothenburg. Her interest lie in the processes of translation and hybridization of language, culture and aesthetics. With movement research as a foundation in her work, she looks for border-less encounters of performing genres. Often relying on historical archives as an important source of inspiration. Making visible invisible stories by re-cycling past knowledge has become a reoccurring theme.
Previously, Liza worked as a professional dancer in Brussels, Belgium. After her studies at The Royal Swedish Ballet school, P.A.R.T.S and her first professional engagement with the Gothenburg Opera Ballet, she spent a significant amount of time working for the world-known choreographer Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker and her company Rosas. During those years Liza also had the opportunity to work with the Antwerp-based theater group TgSTAN. In her last years in Brussels she had a meaningful working encounter with the well-admired choreographer Michele Noirét . Liza has also participated in several productions of the acclaimed Swedish choreographer Helena Franzén as well as worked with freelance choreographers in Europe such as Georgia Vardarou and Veli Lehtovaara.
Liza is also one of the initiators behind PhD in One Night, a collective project centered around the poetics of French philosopher Jacques Rancière. This work eventually sparked her interest in research related to dance education, culminating in her recent MA thesis (2025) on dance literacy at Stockholm University of the Arts.
As chair of Konstkollektivet’s board and a member of Danscentrum Väst, Liza remains deeply engaged in supporting the cultural scene at local, regional, and national levels.
Liza has been continuously receiving support from various institutions throughout her career, including the Gothenburg City Culture Committee, Västra Götaland Region, the Swedish Arts Grants Committee, the Swedish Arts Council, Danscentrum, Carina Ari minnesfond and other organizations.
