Artist Sarah joins celebrity siblings Ben and Nick Fordham in the spotlight

HER two younger brothers, 2GB radio drive time host, Ben Fordham, and talent manager to the stars Nick Fordham, have certainly made their mark on the industry. But now it’s big sister Sarah’s time to shine.

Siblings Nick Fordham, artist and designer Sarah Fordham and TV and radio host Ben Fordham launching Sarah’s designer works on sale at Opus in Paddington. Picture: John Appleyard

• CEO of Crime Stoppers Australia reflects on his fascinating career
• Hisssss ... Python on the loose in Vaucluse

HER two younger brothers, 2GB radio drive time host Ben Fordham and talent manager to the stars Nick Fordham, have made their mark on the industry.

But last week it was big sister Sarah’s time to shine, with the artist stepping firmly into the spotlight with the launch of SAFO, a new design label of bright and colourful soft furnishings and accessories now stocked at Paddington’s Opus.

Flanked by her two brothers at the unveiling of the colourful store window, it was more than clear this family celebrate each other’s achievements, even if there’s a bit of sibling ribbing in between.

“Look we’ve had our fair share of arguments. We can take you through the arguments if you like,” laughs Ben with baby brother Nick chiming in: “We all come together for commercial ventures … it’s the glue.”

2GB radio host Ben Fordham in the studio.

“We have our moments definitely,” said Sarah. “But I think the thing is whenever one of us has something on the go or needs the other two we’re here and so that’s what today is about … we definitely do have round table discussions about all our business ventures.”

Both boys laugh they have “zero” artistic ability but it was Ben — who has shopped at the famed Paddington store “forever” — who first put his sister in contact with the store owners to ask them for advice. “If I had Sarah’s talent I would be a billionaire, because I’d know how to market it,” he said.

For Sarah the timing couldn’t be more perfect. She’s been painting in a nearby studio for 20 years and was inspired to put her artwork onto digital designs so she could capture a bigger audience, explaining it’s a lot less of a commitment to buy a pillow than buy a major piece of art.

“This is the beginning of putting SAFO on the international stage and these guys have been so generous with me not only saying they will run with my work exclusively but also helping me branch out,” she said of the store, emphasising all of the designs were original art works and not just generic graphics.

Sarah Fordham with siblings Nick and Ben. She has been an artist for 20 years.

“Funnily enough I had already sent them an email, which had got lost with all of the other requests they get, a year ago, so I had already imagined this, I had visualised it. The timing is perfect because I was commercially ready.

“It was driven in a way by people looking at my paintings which are inspired by the places I’ve lived or been too. I was born in San Francisco and have had a deep fascination with North America and a lot of the imagery stems from that. But while the imagery shifts, the colour palette underpins everything. That doesn’t shift.”

And while both brothers agree Sarah was top dog in the family growing up, noting whichever brother aligned themselves with her came out on top, they agree there was a power change later when the brothers worked out they could unite to shift the power base.

“We come from a family of very strong women, so Nick and I suffered in the early years,” Ben jokes. “But then we gained strength. We figured it out.”

These days if there is an argument to be settled the trio agree their mum, Veronica — or “the big Kahuna” — as she is affectionately called, steps in.

Ben Fordham with his parents Veronica and John Fordham, of Woollahra.

“Mum runs the Fordham company with dad and Nick, which she started with dad in the 80s,” starts Ben with Sarah adding: “Mum, if I could just say — in terms of glue — she’s the true glue behind every success we have, and my dad would be the first to say without here none of it would have happened.

“And mum’s the one — on the odd occasion there’s a bit of friction between the children — well mum’s the one that would eventually call time on it and say enough of this.

“We don’t hold back. Were not polite around each other. We’re passionate. And if he says something to me I find a little bit off, well I’ll let him now,” she said gesturing towards Nick

Ben concurs: “Every five years there will be a disagreement. And because were all headstrong and we’ve been taught to stick up for ourselves there’s very little backing down or back tracking that goes on — until mum will call up or email to both children involved and say “end it now”.

“But there’s always a lot of love. And mum and dad always taught us to look after each other,” said Nick putting his arm around his sister’s shoulder. And it’s clear there is.