Sydney’s Affordable Art Fair to showcase First Nations artists

Phoebe Blogg
Phoebe Blogg Published March 22, 2024 at 4.00pm (AWST)

Celebrating 25 years in global operation, this year, the Affordable Art Fair is returning once again to Australia's city of Sydney.

Returning to Sydney from the from the 13th – 16th of June 2024, it is expected that more than 13,000 art aficionados and first-timers will visit Affordable Art Fair when the four-day celebration of art returns later this year.

Set to welcome more than 50 independent Australian galleries to its third Sydney instalment, the Affordable Art Fair will see many First Nations artists showcase their work through participating galleries. With thousands of original works for sale, priced from $100 to $10,000, attendees will be provided with a diverse range of artworks to admire and purchase.

Behind the scenes at the 2023 Sydney Affordable Art Fair. (Image: Supplied)

Three popular First Nations organisations that consumers will see appear at the fair include Aboriginal Contemporary, Boomali and Yaama Ganu.

Located on Gadigal Country, Aboriginal Contemporary Curates a truly diverse collection of pieces from emerging artists to come of Aboriginal arts biggest names. Every painting is hand-picked by gallery owner Nichola Dare who travels to art centres in remote Aboriginal communities to source some of the best work.

Boomali on the other hand is the longest-running Aboriginal-owned and run arts organisation dedicated to supporting and promoting NSW language group artists. The Gadigal-based co-op provides a safe space for artists to exhibit, work and tell their stories through art.

Yaama Ganu is a not not-for-profit gallery supporting artists of the local Kamiloaroi National and Aboriginal-managed art centres from communities Since Toby Osmond founded the gallery in 2011, Yaama Ganu has helped boost economic, social and cultural benefits by ensuring all exhibited artists are paid market value for their work

"We believe that every Australian should be able to access and celebrate Aboriginal artwork created in our remote desert communities. The Sydney Affordable Art Fair provides a terrific platform for a broader audience to connect with the artist's represented by Yaama Ganu and Aboriginal Contemporary. By investing in Aboriginal Art, you are investing in the future and sustainability of our precious and unique remote Aboriginal Communities, cultures and languages," Osmond told Style Up.

Toby Osmond with art goers at the 2023 Affordable Art Fair. (Image: Supplied)

With the fair's program scheduled to include live art activations, artist talks, children's activities, special events and more, attendees are bound to engage and interact with many forms of artistic mediums. In addition to exploring thousands of artworks, visitors are granted a glimpse into the artistic process with several artists creating work live throughout the Fair.

Striving to be as educational as it is engaging, the fair has been designed to attract and inform consumers all whilst allowing them to view and interact with the art – where possible.

Sydney Fair Director Stephanie Kelly-Gordine is also excited to welcome both new and returning consumers to the fair.

"This year, we are expecting 13,000 visitors to explore more than 50 galleries under one roof and engage with a packed program of live art activations, artist talks, children's activities, special events and more," she said.

"We are so pleased to welcome new galleries and new artists as well as many returning favourites because one thing we know about our visitors is that they can keep art in their heart for years before pouncing and buying."

Asia Pacific MD and Australia Fair Director, Stephanie Kelly Gordine. (Image: Affordable Art Fair)

With several First Nations artists having their work showcased at the fair, new consumers are set to be in awe of the rich talent coming out of Australia's Indigenous communities and art centres.

"There's something so special about exploring incredible art across sculpture, painting, contemporary ink, prints, photography and more, then sitting on The Terrace with a glass of bubbles or having a picnic on the lawn overlooking the racecourse while you ponder which piece to buy.

"Affordable Art Fair welcomes art lovers of all ages, backgrounds, budgets and experience levels to enjoy Australia's most exciting living artists in a relaxed, social setting."

Yaama Ganu, Boomali and Aboriginal Contemporary are distinctly different in the artists they represent, therefore proving fair goers with a diverse range of talent, all specialising in different mediums and niches.

In 2024, the Affordable Art Fair is being coined as an unmissable experience for both new and returning art goers.

Affordable Art Fair Sydney runs Thursday 13 June – Sunday 16 June 2024 at the Royal Randwick Racecourse.

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