Two, like life and death, good and bad and the number of people it takes to form a relationship.

Two, like the dancers involved in dance company Chunky Move’s latest project, ‘Common Ground’, showing in Melbourne until May 5.

The production by choreographer and Chunky Move’s Artistic Director Anouk van Dijk showcases two of Australia’s leading contemporary dancers, Tara Jade Samaya and Richard Cilli.

Having led the company with her provocative style since 2012, Ms van Dijk has produced extraordinary shows and theatrical works.

Through her latest project, she explores the multi-faceted relationships we build with the world around us, the relationships we build with each other and where we find common ground to stand on.

Born and raised in Perth with Italian nonni, Mr Cilli is familiar with the concept of duality.

Hailing from the towns of Vasto and San Salvo, in Abruzzo, Mr Cilli’s paternal grandparents passed on the culture and traditions they grew up with, even helping him become bilingual.

Today Mr Cilli is considered one of the best contemporary dancers in Australia, a reputation which is the result of great determination and a burning passion for what he does.

While the young artist has always had a love for dancing, he never imagined he’d be able to make a living off it.

In fact, he initially pursued a career in law, but he eventually decided to follow his real passion.

From Perth’s STEPS Youth Dance Company to the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and then the Sydney Dance Company, Mr Cilli has become a sought-after dancer whose profession has taken him all over Australia.

By dancing with Chunky Move, he has also been able to explore Melbourne and appreciate the artistic community which makes our city unique.

Mr Cilli hasn’t restricted himself to Australia, and the young performer has had the chance to dance on English and Swedish stages, as well as at the Venice Biennale.

He claims that the main difference between Europe and Australia is the general attitude towards dancing.

“In Europe, art – and therefore dancing – is considered part of human nature, while in Australia it’s considered a choice,” he said.

“This also changes the approach to the discipline, given that the audience is different; there’s the pressure to work harder and be perfect to make yourself known.”

Typing Richard Cilli in to Google, you will be met with myriad articles, interviews and profile pieces, many of which praise the dancer’s artistic and personal qualities.

Though young, he is professional and switched on, with a modest and positive approach to not only his work, but also his life.

Despite his growing success, Mr Cilli is proud of every project he takes part in, and is particularly pleased with ‘Common Ground’.

In fact, it’s the first time that he has performed for an entire show alongside just one partner.

During the performance, the two dancers stage a fight, but also a relationship between two people who take on other meanings and metaphors: the rapport between man and woman, between two dancers, and between ideology and religion...

“This show is loaded with lots of meaning and is therefore very powerful; we want to push the audience to think bigger,” Mr Cilli explained.

“I bring a lot of my grandparents’ relationship into this performance.”

The dancing star is already working on various new projects and his future goals include working in Italy, especially in his ancestors’ home of Abruzzo.