MEET THE SLO-MO TEAM

My name is Jenn Blake. I am the Artistic Director of Fambo and Fambo Slo-Mo. I grew up in a country town and now I live and work on Gadigal land (Sydney). I’ve been working with artists and making fun projects since I was in high school. I love all kinds of art including performance, film, visual art, music and especially art where everyone gets to take part. I also have two kids, who make life pretty interesting and mostly wonderful!

What were you like when you were eight? I had my hair cut into a bob. I loved cricket, cars and dolls. I had a yellow BMX that my Dad made from my sister’s old bike.  I spent the weekends fishing and yabbying, exploring the bush and making cubby houses in the backyard.

What is one thing you wished more people talked about? Kindness.

How do you get the ideas for what you want to make? By being curious, and taking notice of things.

If you could be a sound what would you be? Microwave Popcorn.

HI! My name is Ohni Blu and I’m the Creative Producer for Fambo Slo-Mo. I am also an emerging artist working in film, sculpture, performance and installation. I was born on Koa Country but I’ve been mainly living here on Wangal and Gadigal Country for the last fifteen years. I identity as non-binary and transgender. To me this means I don’t feel strongly like a man or woman but more like a rainbow puddle that’s messy and happy. I love collaborating on community projects and events as I get to meet so many lovely, amazing people.

Who is in your family?
My only blood relative that I am close to is my little brother, who I raised from very little. He has a family of his own now and we are very close and they mean the world to me. I am also very lucky to have a big sprawling international queer family of friends.

What feels exciting for you right now?
I have my first foster greyhound staying with me. He will be with me until he finds the right forever home. He has never lived in a home or had a family so he is learning lots of new things at the moment. I am very happy that he loves cuddles.

What were you like when you were eight?
When I was 8, I was living in this big Queenslander house in the bush with huge wrap around verandas. I remember watching the afternoon summer storms come in and hearing lots of noisy bats trying to steal bananas from the banana farm.

Has the universe ever given you a sign?
I think the universe gives me signs all the time. I try very hard to look out for them.

HI! My name is Samantha Blake. I’m the Community Engagement Manager for Fambo Slo-Mo.  I’m a nurse and I care a lot about health and justice. I live on Gadigal land but I grew up on the other side of the planet in the US and have always been surrounded by art and artists. I like thinking about how different people can find joy and connection with queer community through Fambo. I’m also a co-parent with Jenn to two super kind and creative kids.

What superpower do you wish you had?
Is fearlessness a superpower?

What art did you do when you were a kid?
I loved creative writing and dance.

Where is home to you?
I grew up on Ohlone land (Berkeley, California). Redwood trees, dry golden hills and concrete freeways still feel like home to me.

What is your favourite smell? Homemade challah bread.

HI! Ngayu niliwal Georgia Mokak. I am the First Nations Consultant for Fambo Slo-Mo. I am a proud Djugun woman from Broome, in the Kimberley region.  I am super new to Wangal and Gadigal Country, and my favourite thing to do is learn from local young people, families and Elders to tell stories together in creative ways.

Where is home to you? I have lots of homes!  The most important home is Djugun Country in Broome.  But I am lucky to have so many special places that are also my homes.   Larrakia, Ngunnawal, Ngambri, Gadigal and Wangal Country are also my homes too because I have shared stories, memories and connections to these places.

What is your favourite smell? My favourite smell is eucalyptus leaves rubbed between my palms and Nanna’s belacan.

How did you learn your techniques? I learnt and continue to learn everything I can do now from my family and my community.

If you could be a sound what would you be? Definitely the song of Gang Gang cockatoos.

HI! I’m Thom Smyth and I am the Marketing  and Communications Manager for Fambo Slo-Mo. I am originally from Whadjuk Noongar boodjar in what is now named Perth. I moved to Gadigal land four years ago, and I like to help artists make their ideas happen…the bigger and more wild, the better!

What is one thing you wished more people talked about?
Politics. It’s not boring – it’s super important and affects us all every day! I think it’s important to be curious about what is happening in your own neighbourhood and around the world.

What feels exciting for you right now?
Change. It feels like some of the unfair things in our world are finally starting to shift and improve…but there is always more to do!

How do you get the ideas for what you want to make? 
I get really excited by artists and ideas that make us aware of things that are happening in the world, and that try to fix them in funny, surprising and creative ways.

Where is home to you?  
Either at a big loud party with lots of friends, or hiding under a doona on my couch in my house.