Spotlight.
Marios Ento-Engkolo
INTRODUCTION
Marios Ento-Engkolo is an Afro-Mediterranean, queer dance artist based in Glasgow, driven by storytelling and emotional expression through movement. His work draws on a blend of Street Dance styles, such as Hip-Hop, Afrobeat’s, and Dancehall, with contemporary and experimental dance. Marios' work is highly autobiographical, exploring the conflict of opposite forces and his experiences as a mixed-race, queer man raised in Greece. He uses specific concepts and feelings to enhance storytelling, allowing for both structure and spontaneity in his performances
INTERVIEW
How did you get into your creative practice? What initially inspired you?
I started my journey in dance by accident! I was doing a postgraduate in teaching, which left me with some free time at certain times of the year, and I thought of starting dance classes as a hobby. With the help and encouragement of people who believed in me, the hobby because passions, and the passion became.....well, it's still becoming (and I love it).
What themes do you tend to interrogate in your creative practices?
What spirituality means to me. Ritual., connection to the divine inside us and all around us. Expression of emotion. Even just looking at what my body can do - Where I'm doing well, and where I need to get better at (plenty of that, I assure you!).
What is your favourite project you’ve ever worked on and why?
It is very hard to pick, as every project I liked has given me something very special.
What advice would you have for creatives of colour looking to get into your creative practices?
It is so hard to give advice that could be applied to every context of every individual. If I really try, I'd say - find mentors, teachers and other fellow practitioners, who are on a similar path. It really takes a village to make your dreams a reality, and of course, be ready to be that 'villager' in other people's journeys.
What are you currently working on?
At the moment I'm working on my autobiographical piece 'Dualism', which will be presented as part of the BUZZCUT festival 2026. I'm super excited to be presenting my own work in a festival, at the same time, I also feel a bit terrified (no biggie!)
Image Credit: Léa Brinon