Who is Devon Taylor?
The Executive Director of Women’s Circus by day, and child wrangler and lover by night.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
I wouldn’t have ever been a smoker. Thankfully, I am no longer a smoker.
Who inspires you and why?
The First peoples of Australia, particularly the women who helped set up the Warriors of Aboriginal Resistance (WAR). I’m also a big fan of watching Democracy Now! reporter Amy Goodman. Total boss bitches. (can I say that?) Empowered and taking decisive action against injustices in this world. Oh, and Peaches (the singer). She’s my queen.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I guess, really, by being a parent to three young kids means constantly trying to equip each of them with empathy, compassion and enough fuel to take on the challenges that they are going to face as they grow.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
My holidays tend to be dictated by the fact my immediate family all live in North America- so favorite destinations are Mile End in Montreal, Marlborough, Massachusetts and Puerto Escondido, Mexico.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
Daylesford and Hepburn Springs area since I lived there for eight years, and still have tons of community up there.
What are you currently reading?
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante, and Paradise Lost by John Milton.
What are you currently listening to?
My son’s playlist – a lot (current new additions include the Ghostbusters theme song and White flag by Delta Heavy). If I have any say over the Spotify account, I’m enjoying the new Solange album and the new Teeth & Tongue album. This past Saturday I actually had time to listen to two albums from start to finish – one by Beach House, and the other by Penguin Café Orchestra.
Happiness is?
Constantly evolving.
What does the future hold for you?
Women’s Circus has recently performed our new large scale circus theatre production – an adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad – with 30 amazing women from our membership and a team of fantastic and dedicated female artists and musicians. So it’s been, lots of rehearsals, ticking all the boxes, last minute shopping and radio and media interviews!
Devon is the Executive Director of the Women’s Circus. Established in 1991 as a project of Footscray Community Arts Centre, Women’s Circus returns to its original home to explore its 25-year herstory through photographic archives, oral and written stories, and memorabilia. Women’s Circus: Stories in Motion Exhibition is currently on display until Saturday 10 December 2016. For more information, visit: www.womenscircus.org.au for details.
Image: Devon Taylor (supplied)