Commencing its 15th anniversary season, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair has officially opened to the public.
Welcoming First Nations art and culture lovers and a delegation of collectors and curators from Australia's leading galleries, museums, and institutions, this year's Fair - under the theme Country Speaking - is set to be Cairns Indigenous Art Fair's (CIAF) most extensive and culturally immersive program in its history.
Taking place from the 25-28 July, CIAF is expected to welcome 30,000 visitors while showcasing the work of some 600 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual and performing artists from Queensland, including many remote communities.
CIAF will be staged within the surrounds of its world-class hub and headquarters, the Cairns Convention Centre, as well as satellite venues across the city that include Cairns Art Gallery, Court House Gallery, Munro Martin Parklands, NorthSite Contemporary Arts, Bulmba-ja and Tanks Arts Centre.
The fair commenced with an opening night party at the Cairns Convention Centre on Thursday, the prelude celebration including a unique musical program of cultural dancing and music, including a performance by Kuranda's, The Pad Boys.
Guests who attended the opening night party were also given a first glimpse of the anticipated Art Fair exhibition.
Delivering her second program as CIAF's artistic director, Francoise Lane said she is thrilled be at the events helm for yet another year.
"From its art fair beginnings in 2009, CIAF has evolved into a meaningful and multi-disciplinary event for cultural exchange, truth-telling, and knowledge sharing that in its 15-year history has launched careers, provided pathways and provided a valuable source of income underpinning the development and future of Queensland's First Nations artists and industry," Ms Lane said.
"All of the stunning works displayed have been chosen on their artistic merit and thematic perspective to exhibit a truly evocative exploration of their spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental relationship to the Country.
"As is evident in the work, artists have truly connected to this strong First Nations concept – the embodiment of 65,000 years of deep connection to the land, waters, skies, and seas. Country speaks. It always has and always will. The question is, are we listening?."
Three primary award recipients of the 8th annual CIAF Art Awards were announced at last night's official opening ceremony.
Saibai Island artist Joel Sam was announced the winner of the $25,000 Queensland Government Premier's Award for Excellence, while the Cairns Regional Council Art Centre Award winner, Yarrabah Arts and Cultural Precinct and Holding Redlich Innovation Award winner, Badu Island artist Matilda Nona both won $10,000 each.
Winners of the Ports North 3D-Design, Sculpture and Innovation Award, The University of Sydney Emerging Artist Award and the Torres Strait Regional Authority People's Choice Award, with a prize of $5000 each, will be announced at the closing ceremony on Sunday at Cairns Convention Centre.
CIAF's two-day Symposium will be held across Friday and Satirdya at Bulmba-ja Arts Centre, along with two fashion performances of Country Speaking, Light the Fire at Tanks Arts Centre.
Following Thursday's opening and Friday's fashion performance, CIAF after dark hits its highest note on Saturday within the atmospheric, acoustic 'round' of Tanks Art Centre for Music in the Tanks.
Former Shakaya member Simone Stacey will be joined by the voices of her No Shame in My Game songwriting program before hip-hop sensation BARKAA performs.
Similar to CIAF's performances and activities, CIAF's visual feast extends across the city's cultural precincts and includes a special satellite exhibition, Not Selling Cakes, at Tanks Arts Centre.
Not Selling Cakes recognises artists who have contributed to CIAF since its inception in 2009, underscoring their pivotal role in the Queensland Indigenous art movement.
Guests are also free to wander leisurely through the adjoining Art Market, which offers a colourful and covetable collection of art and wares from almost 50 stalls spanning textiles and fashion, ceramics and works on canvas, accessories, and home décor items.
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair will be held from 25-28 July at the Cairns Convention Centre and various arts and cultural precincts and galleries throughout Cairns.
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