Reclamation & Regeneration
STATEMENT FROM CIAF ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, TEHO ROPEYARN
Reclamation is the active retrieval of what was taken, lost, archived or forgotten; whilst Regeneration is the renewal and transformation of that knowledge into vibrant, living cultures. Together, they form a cycle of cultural survival, resurgence and innovation.
Reclamation speaks to a return to Country, to memory, and to stories passed down through generations. It is an act of resistance and resurgence by reclaiming space through expressions of language, cultural identity and spiritual connection. It confronts the dispossession and disruption of peoples from Country and the environment, while addressing the threats posed to our cultural expressions, belief systems, and visual languages and iconography.
Regeneration builds upon the foundational work of Reclamation; it breathes new life into repossessed knowledges. It is a creative force that sustains cultural identity through intergenerational exchange, innovation and healing. Regeneration nurtures the land and spirit, and imagines futures rooted in healing and transformation.
Theme
CIAF presents 'Reclamation & Regeneration' as the theme for 2026, honouring the enduring strength, vitality and creativity of Queensland’s First Nations peoples.
reclamation
rec·la·ma·tion
1: the act or process of reclaiming: the state of being reclaimed
regeneration
re·gen·er·a·tion
1: an act or the process of regenerating : the state of being regenerated
2: spiritual renewal or revival
Reclamation is the active retrieval of what was taken, lost, archived or forgotten; whilst Regeneration is the renewal and transformation of that knowledge into vibrant, living cultures. Together, they form a cycle of cultural survival, resurgence and innovation.
Reclamation speaks to a return to Country, to memory, and to stories passed down through generations. It is an act of resistance and resurgence by reclaiming space through expressions of language, cultural identity and spiritual connection. It confronts the dispossession and disruption of peoples from Country and the environment, while addressing the threats posed to our cultural expressions, belief systems, and visual languages and iconography.
Together, Reclamation & Regeneration invites exploration of the following areas of practice:
These themes are not static; they are living, breathing processes. They honour the past, empower the present and shape the future of First Nations art, cultures, families, and community.
CIAF 2026 invites artists (as cultural practitioners), curators and critics, and audiences alike to engage deeply and honestly with Reclamation & Regeneration as demonstrations of First Nations’ perspectives and as acts of healing and creative regeneration.
Regeneration builds upon the foundational work of Reclamation; it breathes new life into repossessed knowledges. It is a creative force that sustains cultural identity through intergenerational exchange, innovation and healing. Regeneration nurtures the land and spirit, and imagines futures rooted in healing and transformation.
Hero Artwork
CIAF is proud to present the 2026 hero artwork in collaboration with local First Nations-led creative studio, Red Ochre Republic.
This immersive digital work marks a new era in CIAF’s storytelling; one that celebrates local First Nations collaboration and champions Queensland’s creative and cultural identity.
Grounded in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander soundscapes and narrated by CIAF Artistic Director Teho Ropeyarn, this marks the first time a CIAF curatorial theme will be brought to life through both digital storytelling and a commissioned artwork. Conceived to articulate the 2026 theme, Reclamation & Regeneration, the animation serves as a storytelling device, guiding audiences through the curatorial vision and weaving a narrative that flows throughout the Fair.