National Indigenous Art Fair celebrates creativity and culture

Rhiannon Clarke Published June 25, 2024 at 5.00pm (AWST)

culture

Wiradjuri man Larry-Brandy (Image: DestinationNSW)

The 2024 National Indigenous Art Fair will showcase creations from talented First Nations artists, designers, and makers on Gadigal Country in Sydney this month.

The immersive weekend event, now in its fifth year, will feature Indigenous art, design, food, performances, and culture.

The fair will take place on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 June at The Rocks, providing a unique opportunity to purchase artworks directly from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from various regions across Australia.

Festivities will commence with a launch event at Artbank Sydney on Thursday 27 June, featuring performances by renowned artists such as Torres Strait Islander dancer Ryka Satrick and multi-disciplinary performer Mark Atkins.

Barkindji man artist David Doyle (Image: DestinationNSW)

Artbank Director, Zoë Rodriguez, said she was pleased to celebrate and support the 2024 National Indigenous Art Fair.

"No one can deny the significance and central place of Indigenous art and artists in Australia's contemporary art sector," she said.

"That's why Artbank is proud to host the launch of the National Indigenous Art Fair at our Sydney premises this year.

"We encourage art lovers to get down to the fair over the weekend to view some beautiful and unique art – and maybe pick up a piece to enjoy at home."

The purpose of the art fair is to provide support to remote art centres in order to establish a sustainable pathway to address the severe economic exclusion faced by those who live in remote Indigenous communities.

Every purchase made will directly benefit the artists and their Indigenous-owned and governed art centres.

senior fibre artist and Ganalbingu women Margaret Djarrbalabal Malibirr (Image: DestinationNSW)

The goal is to enhance their Indigenous-led governance structure, promoting Indigenous leadership in the arts, business, and community decision-making processes, while also preserving and strengthening cultural practices.

Additionally, the fair aims to create meaningful employment opportunities for Indigenous women, who represent approximately 70 per cent of the artists, and to generate income as art centre sales are often their primary source of external revenue.

The National Indigenous Art Fair was established by the charitable organisation First Hand Solutions Aboriginal Corporation as a fair trade marketplace.