Trajal Harrell gained international recognition for creating a series of works that bring together the tradition of voguing with early postmodern dance. In his latest work, Harrell also combines theoretical and formal ideas from butoh​ and early modern dance. Weaving the links between different dance ​histories, the artist puts the body at the center of his research, exploring the ways in which it becomes a receptacle of memory, ​speculation, the past​, presence, and historical ​figures who have inspired this work.

Intertwining notions of time, historical imagination, and transcultural references, he reveals the multitude of layers that make up the richness of ​the histor​i​es of ​art and contemporary dance. He has shown work in a multitude of venues, museums, art centers, and festivals nationally and internationally. Harrell was most recently awarded the 2024 Silver Lion at the Venice Dance Biennale.