Kamilaroi/Bigambul artist and Golden Lion-winning Venice Biennale representative Dr Archie Moore will headline CIAF’s new talks program, Mark Makers in a presentation exploring the themes of kinship and memory at the heart of First Nations art and storytelling.
The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) is set to present a new addition to its 2025 Talks Program—Mark Makers, a keynote speaker series featuring three of the country’s most influential and visionary First Nations cultural leaders.
Mark Makers will take place daily at 10 am from Friday, 11 July, to Sunday, 13 July, at the Tanks Arts Centre, featuring presentations by Dr. Archie Moore, Dr. Terri Janke, and Sebastian Goldspink, who will offer critical insights into their groundbreaking work in art, law, and cultural practice.
CIAF’s Mark Makers will be hosted by Jack Wilkie-Jans, a respected Aboriginal affairs advocate, artist, and one of the three esteemed CIAF’s 2025 Art Awards judges.
According to CIAF Artistic Director Teho Ropeyarn, Mark Makers reflects the 2025 theme, Pay Attention! and creates space for meaningful cultural discourse.
“Our Mark Makers are not only exceptional in their fields—they represent our communities' voice, resilience and intellect. These conversations will provoke, inspire, and deepen the dialogue around truth-telling, Indigenous knowledge systems, and the future of First Nations arts,” said Mr Ropeyarn.
CIAF’s 2025 Mark Makers Line-Up:
Friday 11 July – Dr Archie Moore
“Kinship and Cultural Maintenance / On the enduring strength of Kin”
Kamilaroi/Bigambul artist and Golden Lion-winning Venice Biennale representative Dr Archie Moore explores the themes of kinship and memory at the heart of First Nations art and storytelling.
Saturday 12 July – Dr Terri Janke
“Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property: Old ways protected under new legislation”
With special thanks to the Office for the Arts, Dr Terri Janke, one of Australia’s foremost legal experts on Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP), presents a visionary address on protecting First Nations cultural expression in law and industry.
Sunday 13 July – Sebastian Goldspink
“On Collaborative Partnerships: The relationship between Artists and Curators”
Renowned curator and cultural strategist Sebastian Goldspink shares lessons from a 20-year career shaping contemporary arts practice, policy and pathways for First Nations artists.
Goldspink’s presentation examines the creative relationship between artists and curators. It uses the ongoing curatorial dialogue between Kamilaroi artist Reko Rennie and Burramattagal curator Sebastian Goldspink as a case study for this potentiality.
The partnership between Reko Rennie and Sebastian Goldspink is traced through early collaborations at the artist-run space ALASKA Projects and into large-scale presentations, including the Adelaide Biennial. Considerations include: What is a curator? How can First Nations artists access Artist-Run Spaces? What is the benefit of having curators and writers write about your work? How does curatorial inclusion impact markets? What are the benefits of artist talks and conversations with curators? How can curators amplify and promote artists' work to larger audiences and institutions?
Rennie’s series of road films is a starting point for this broad discussion that seeks to demystify these creative collaborations.
CIAF Mark Makers on sale now:
Each Mark Makers presentation is a specially ticketed event within the broader CIAF 2025 Talks Program, which will also include a series of free daily panels addressing themes such as collecting, promoting, conserving, and navigating policy in Indigenous arts.