Who is Jonathan Homsey?
Jonathan loves making choreography as much as he loves Japanese mayonnaise. His love for dance, visual art and social engagement has taken him around the world and loves to create ecologies on stage or in the gallery that make people feel good. From choreographing for George Maple to conceptual public art that went viral on the infamous Instagram Brown Cardigan, as long I get the crowd moving and smiling, Jonathan is happy!
What would you do differently from what you do now?
I would be a morning person and sadly probably less Japanese mayonnaise.
Who inspires you and why?
Alexandra Ocasio Cortez. Strong leadership and being consistent with one’s values inspire me to do the same!
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I am already doing it! I am proud to say my friends and colleagues in the industry say I am a beacon of light and bright colour. I hope as I get older I can do it at larger scales and eventually contribute to dismantling systemic problems of representation in the arts. I wish to create work that establishes emotional connection, with every new project I will do it better!
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Tokyo! As a small child my mom would travel to Tokyo for work and I would tag along. My obsession with Sailor Moon and sushi as a child has evolved to a full blown love for the culture, the people and of course, the fashion in Harajuku. Also Tokyo has some of the best hip hop dance classes in the world.
When friends come to ton, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
Everyone always teases me for this but I LOVE taking newbies to the Croft Institute in Chinatown. An amazing cocktail bar in alley within an alley… cannot be anymore Melbourne.
What are you currently reading?
Bodies That Matter by Judith Butler.
What are you currently listening to?
Lashun Pace. American gospel music, even though I am no longer Catholic, it has been super motivating for me during COVID.
Happiness is?
Honour my being!
What does the future hold for you?
Finally getting to go to a jazz bar with friends after lockdown 2.0. I hope a nice swim in the ocean too – near Byron Bay, and hopefully start a PhD in 2021 or 2022.
Jonathan will present I Am Maggie (with Maggie Chen and Maggie Zhu) as part of Arts Centre Melbourne and Melbourne Fringe’s 2020 Take Over! At Home Residency Showing on Saturday 29 August. For more information, visit: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au for details.
Image: Jonathan Homsey – photo by Shannon May Powell