CIAF calls for support to open the Blue Highway to Hong Kong

Phoebe Blogg Published October 21, 2026 at 4.15pm (AWST)

arts

CIAF Artistic Director Teho Ropeyarn (left) and Chair Dr Bianca Beetson AM (right) with Art Central Hong Kong Head of VIP Relations Wen-Wen Liu during her visit to CIAF in July 2026. (Image: Rikaela Rusch)

Cairns Indigenous Art Fair is calling on Far North Queenslanders to help Queensland First Nations artists and their work reach Hong Kong, with a 12-hour fundraising appeal to be held Thursday October 22, aimed at turning international connections into opportunities.

Through AusArt Day, Creative Australia's national fundraising initiative for artists and arts organisations, CIAF aims to raise $15,000 to cover travel, freight and presentation costs for international opportunities, including those being developed around Art Central Hong Kong (24-28 March 2027), an international contemporary art fair held during Hong Kong Art Week.

As a not-for-profit organisation, CIAF relies on a mix of government funding, corporate partnerships and private giving to deliver its programs and develop new opportunities for artists.

Called The Blue Highway, CIAF's campaign draws on First Nations peoples' enduring relationships with Sea Country and on its role in trade and cultural connection - bringing an international focus to the organisation's 2027 theme, Superhighway: Country Sings to Stars Dancing, which explores living networks that connect Country, seas and skies.

*Catherine in the Australian Consulte General of Hong Kong's Residence with a First Nations painting. (Image: supplied)*

*Catherine at Art Basel with sculptures from Tiwi Island artists. (Image: supplied)*

Supported by the CAGES Foundation to build relationships with galleries, collectors and curators, the appeal follows a visit by the CIAF team to Hong Kong earlier this year.

Those connections continued when Art Central's head of VIP Relations, Wen-Wen Liu, visited CIAF in Gimuy/Cairns in July.

The next step is helping artists and their work make the crossing.

"We have begun building the relationships. Now we're asking our community to help us take the next step," said CIAF's artistic director Teho Ropeyarn.

"Getting artwork overseas takes freight, travel and resources to present it properly.

"This appeal is about helping Queensland First Nations artists be seen, heard and connected with people who could support the next stage of their careers."

*Cairns Indigenous Art Fair artistic director Teho Ropeyarn. (One Gallery)*

In a letter supporting CIAF's broader Superhighway proposal, Art Central Fair director Corey Andrew Barr expressed interest in continuing discussions on collaboration and exchange, including connections with audiences and networks in Hong Kong and across the wider region.

To support CIAF's $15,000 fundraising target for its 12-hour AusArt Day appeal, donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible and can be made by visiting the CIAF website at www.ciaf.com.au/donate.

CIAF 2027 will be held at Tanks Arts Centre from 8 - 11 July 2027.

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