Cairns Indigenous Art Fair showcases First Nations creativity

Now in its 12th year, the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) will run from 10th - 19th November, providing a platform for professional development and cultural exchange for First Nations artists, and career pathways for emerging visual and performance artists, and arts workers from across the Cape and Torres Strait Islands.

Cairns Indigenous Art Fair Artistic Director Janina Harding said in 2021 the festival would once again deliver a beautiful and diverse online program encapsulating Queensland’s breadth of talent with a diverse range of cultural experiences.   

Harding notes “these include CIAF’s SACRED themed Art Fair embodying Queensland’s First Peoples’ artistic response to sacred sites and places of significance along with associated exhibitions including Where’s Your Permit? and Mermaid ‘Zeloh’ from the women artists of Aurukun, currently on show at Cairns Courthouse Gallery until the end of November.”

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk highlighted that “major events that showcase Queensland’s unique culture and beauty are absolutely vital to promoting our state and encouraging local talent.

“I’m proud to say that we’ve supported the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair every year since its inception.

“The last two years have been difficult for everyone but particularly for our arts and culture sector.

“CIAF did a great job last year – hosting 2020’s event entirely online.

“COVID won’t hold back Far North Queensland’s iconic arts festival in 2021 with an outstanding digital program that will enable thousands of art lovers throughout the country to enjoy what our artists have to offer.”

Queensland Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch visited artwork from Yarrabah Art Centre ahead of the opening of the 2021 CIAF and shared “Yarrabah has long been associated with talented ceramics artists such as Michelle and Philomena Yeatman, with the new works showcased at this year’s CIAF further elevating the community’s unique and treasured works and demonstrating the depth and quality of Queensland First Nations artists.

“This is just one example of the outstanding visual artwork that will be presented as part of a reimagined digital and physical CIAF, running online from 10th-19th November, with arts and crafts available for purchase online from Queensland’s Indigenous Art Centres.

“CIAF online will give a boost to Queensland’s plan for economic recovery, especially for the Arts sector.”

Local State Member for Cairns, Michael Healy said the online marketplace would join physical CIAF highlights, including the premiere of a new theatre work and a live music program and added “Queensland Theatre’s new tri-lingual production of Shakespeare’s Othello, as reimagined by Jimi Bani and Jason Klarwein, is set between Cairns and the Torres Strait and will premiere at Bulmba-ja arts centre.

“Music in the Park on 13th November at Munro Martin Parklands has received $64,000 funding support through the Palaszczuk Government’s First Nations Commissioning Fund, and will feature comedian Kevin Kropinyeri, and music from Black Image, Naomi Wenitong, SeaBreeze, and the Warrigan band from Hopevale, along with cultural dance groups.”

Minister Enoch added “The Queensland Government provides annual funding of $600,000 to elevate First Nations arts as a key priority of our 10-year strategy Creative Together, along with additional funding of $284,000 to support the Music in the Park, digital elements, and to commission large-scale artworks for CIAF’s Big Sculpture Showcase in 2022.”

For more about the program of virtual galleries, exhibitions and performance activities, visit www.ciaf.com.au