New York's Whitney celebrates dance icon Alvin Ailey in major show

The work of US dance icon Alvin Ailey (1931-1989) is being celebrated for the first time with a major show at the Whitney Museum in New York.

Ailey was a "true icon" and the exhibition is a "fantastic composition," said curator Adrienne Edwards, of the show that celebrates the life, dances, influences and legacy of the visionary artist and choreographer.

Ailey, who founded an ensemble named after him in New York that continues to dance today, is one of the most influential and important dancers and choreographers in the history of modern dance.

The multidisciplinary New York show features sculpture, video installations and other works by more than 80 artists, plus archival material.

The show centres on the dancer himself, exploring his passions, curiosities and creativity through his dances, and within a continuum of other artists spanning nearly two centuries.

That gives visitors a historical account and creates a tribute to Ailey's life, career, and far-reaching impact on the histories of dance, Black creativity and US culture.

" Edges of Ailey ," an exploration of art, music and dance at the Whitney, runs through to February 2025.