Get to Know Beak Tama

Get to know Beak Tama who has a zine titled ‘A Deadloch Manifesto’ featured in our most recent Showcase. You can grab a copy from Fontella - The Zine Machine by visiting Barkly Square Ballarat! Be sure to bring a pocket full of $2 coins with you - Fontella is a vintage lady & packed with a great selection of self-published titles. We will also be at Zineverleigh this Saturday 27th July - see you there!

What is your craft?

I’ve been creating for as long as I can remember. I love experimenting and will try anything creative. I love mixed media. I love “archaic” processes - as a former photography teacher described it. I write, I sing, I code, I tinker, I draw. You name it, I’ve either tried it or want to try it.

What topics do you particularly enjoy exploring through your craft and why?

I really love using creativity as an escape. I make a lot of fanart and I also love creating my own little worlds and stories - even if the majority of them only exist in my head!I am also extremely passionate about advocating for mental illness and disability awareness. I hope to destigmatise these issues by providing factual information about neurological and physiological mechanisms as well as helping others feel less alone by sharing my own experiences.

What do you like about zines?

The underground punk beginnings of zines make them feel so exciting - I love feeling like I’m peddling my wares to some secret book club. I sometimes daydreamed about working at a magazine as a kid (thank you, KZone!) and creating zines is the sweet spot because I have full creative control. There’s some kind of nostalgia and whimsy to it that I can’t articulate succinctly. Zine markets are a thrill. I love seeing the broad range of subjects and every zine feels like a peek into one subculture or another, and I love me a good subculture!

How long have you been making zines?

I’m sure I made things that would classify as zines when I was a kid. However, as soon as I became aware of the existence of Sticky Institute (circa 2014) and started attending Festival of the Photocopier I started making zines regularly with the intent to distribute them, but I always had something else going on, so I only started selling online in 2020 and tabling at markets etc. this year!

What do you do for a living?

I’m a graphic designer and hobbyist, running my own small business. I also recently picked up some casual work at a local games store which has been an absolute blast! I love tabletop games and the community!Follow @beak.tama to see more!

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