CIAF artists reach for the stars to launch 2027 theme
A sprinkling of stars unites in a constellation of CIAF’s curatorial theme, contributed by a collective of Far North Queensland’s First Nations artists.
Image: Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) 2027 Collaborative Hero Artwork Commission: Superhighway – Country Sings to Stars Dancing. Digital mixed media. Created with Red Ochre Republic by First Nations designers Tarquin Singleton (Yirrganydji) and Sheree Jacobs (Meriam), with creative contributions from CIAF Artistic Director, Teho Ropeyarn (Angkamuthi and Yadhaykana) and artists Peggy Kasabad Lane (Saibai Koedal Awgadhalgal), Jack Wilkie-Jans (Waanyi, Teppathiggi and Tjungundji), Sandra Delaney (Nunagal, Goenbal and Ngugi, Quandamooka), Douglas Tamwoy (Thupmul Clan, Gudang Yadhaykenu Tribe, Badu & Erub Islands), Daphne de Jersey (Gangalidda, Waanyi and Garawa) and Sabrina Rose-Toby (Gangulu).
24 October 2026. A constellation of First Nations artists has come together to launch the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair’s 18th season, each contributing a star to a collaborative hero artwork bringing CIAF’s 2027 theme, Superhighway: Country Sings to Stars Dancing, to life.
The theme has been translated into a collaborative hero artwork created with Gimuy/Cairns-based, First Nations-led creative agency Red Ochre Republic, uniting individual star contributions from Teho Ropeyarn, Peggy Kasabad Lane, Jack Wilkie-Jans, Tarquin Singleton, Sheree Jacobs, Sandra Delaney, Douglas Tamwoy, Daphne de Jersey and Sabrina Rose-Toby.
Developed through CIAF’s curatorial process, Superhighway: Country Sings to Stars Dancing brings together the thinking of Artistic Director Teho Ropeyarn and curatorial contributions from First Nations artists and cultural practitioners Peggy Kasabad Lane and Jack Wilkie-Jans, reflecting the collaborative exchange of knowledge and perspectives at CIAF’s heart.
Together, their curatorial rationale explores the vast living networks connecting Country, Cultures and knowledge across generations, a concept that continues CIAF’s journey from Pay Attention! through Reclamation and Regeneration and now turns towards the cultural knowledge systems connecting past, present and future.
“Pay Attention! asked us to stop, think, and recognise the sovereignty, knowledge, and significance of the world’s oldest living cultures, while Reclamation and Regeneration asked us to reclaim, restore, and look deeply at who we are and what we carry,” Mr Ropeyarn said.
“Superhighway takes us forward. It is also a nod to Yothu Yindi’s immense cultural influence and speaks to the living networks, from land and sea to sky and stars, and how that ancestral knowledge continues to move, evolve and find new expression through art, technology and contemporary practice.
“For audiences, that could translate into many different artistic responses and scales. From ancient knowledge through to contemporary art forms to works exploring Country, memory, movement, technology and our relationship with the cosmos. What will be exciting is seeing how individual artists interpret the Superhighway paradigm.
“There is enormous positivity and opportunity in that. We know where we come from and carry that knowledge with us, but we also have the agency to shape where we are going and to write the next narrative,” he said.
That curatorial thinking is reflected in an animated hero artwork developed by the creative team at Red Ochre Republic.
The Gimuy/Cairns-based First Nations graphic design and creative agency drew on the artists' individual contributions to create a cohesive visual identity that celebrates their unique interpretations of the theme.
Red Ochre Republic's Sheree Jacobs said the collaborative artwork presented an opportunity to celebrate the artists' individual creativity.
"Each star reflects the vision of the artist who created it. We wanted to honour those individual stories and visual identities while bringing the elements together in a way that allows them to move as one," Ms Jacobs said.
Red Ochre Republic designer and illustrator Tarquin Singleton said animation brings a new dimension to the artwork, extending its visual storytelling beyond the individual stars.
"The animation showcases each unique star as they come together to form the bigger picture. It follows the lines and movement already present in the artwork, taking audiences on a journey from Country to the stars," Mr Singleton said.
From CIAF's new website and digital platforms to campaign creative, multimedia and event spaces, the collaborative artwork will traverse physical and digital realms in the lead-up to the Fair in July, becoming a living visual expression of Superhighway and CIAF's 18th season.
With CIAF’s 2027 Expressions of Interest open until 16 November, Queensland First Nations artists, artisans, musicians, dancers, and creative practitioners are also invited to be part of the next chapter across the Art Fair Showcase, Artisans Showcase, Music and Dance Program, and Masterclass Series.
CIAF 2027 will be held at Tanks Arts Centre from 8 – 11 July 2027.