The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair is proud to announce the opening of the spectacular Big Sculpture exhibition at the Brisbane Powerhouse as part of this year's Brisbane Festival, a remarkable showcase of large-scale works by Queensland First Nations artists.
The touring exhibition, which was originally curated by former CIAF Artistic Director Janina Harding and esteemed artist Tony Albert and features 9 sculptures, highlights the profound creativity, cultural richness, and diverse artistic practices of the participating artists.
The Big Sculpture showcase as part of Brisbane Festival co-incides with CIAF's 15-year anniversary, with Brisbane Powerhouse being the first destination for this touring exhibition before it moves on to other destinations in 2025.
Big Sculpture launches at the Brisbane Powerhouse this Saturday August 31, with free entry to the exhibition from September 2 to October 6.
Over the years, CIAF has become synonymous with its iconic large sculptures, particularly the ghostnet sculptures that have graced the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal and, more recently, the Cairns Convention Centre. These works have captivated audiences and become a powerful symbol of the Fair's commitment to celebrating First Nations art in all its forms. Notable past exhibitions, such as Alick Tipoti’s ceremonial masks in 2011 and the 2014 Solid! Contemporary Indigenous Sculpture exhibition curated by Bruce McLean, have paved the way for the Big Sculpture exhibition’s evolution.
The Big Sculpture artists were given the creative freedom to develop concepts based on their current practices or explore new ideas, resulting in a diverse array of works that reflect the depth and complexity of First Nations cultures and lived experiences throughout Queensland.
The 9 artists featured in the Big Sculpture touring exhibition are Hans Ah Wang, Rhonda Woolla, Alma Norman, Marlene Norman, Mavis Benjamin, Shirley Macnamara, Ian Waldron, Dr. David Jones, Brian Robinson and Toby Cedar.
A continual point of reference for many of the participating artists is the imaginative response to oral storytelling and the traditions of times past. Pormpuraaw artists Mavis Benjamin, Alma Norman, and Marlene Norman’s Wang Wik (Hairy Man) draws inspiration from their people’s traditional culture, while ghostnets remain central to their large-scale creations. These materials, originally used in commercial fishing, have been repurposed into stunning works of art, showcasing the artists' ability to transform the mundane into the extraordinary.
Other notable works include Rhonda Woolla’s Pach Pekan (in bloom), Shirley Macnamara’s Through the Gidgea, Over the Spinifex Ridges and Black Soil Plains, Toby Cedar’s Keker Nog (seasonal masks), and Ian Waldron’s Totemic Forest. These pieces reflect the artists' deep connection to Country, utilizing ancestral techniques alongside modern materials to affirm the bond between culture, materiality, and contemporary art.
The exhibition also delves into the complex history of early Australian colonisation through the works of Brian Robinson, and David Jones. Robinson’s Bank’s Bounty: Exotic Cargo recreates specimens of botany collected by Joseph Banks, while Jones’ Pull the Pin interrogate the removal and institutionalization of First Nations people's physical, natural, and spiritual identity. These works challenge the traditional white walls of museums, urging a re-examination of how First Nations material is preserved and presented.
Hans Ahwang’s Ailan is a testament to the resourcefulness of artists living remotely, who often use found and recycled materials sourced from their environment. This piece, like many others in the exhibition, reflects the artists' lived experiences and the profound connection they maintain with their families, communities, and Country.
Outgoing CIAF Artistic Director Francoise Lane said she was thrilled to be completing her tenure at CIAF with the reignition of CIAF 2022's Big Sculpture exhibition, the organisation's first-ever touring exhibition.
“The Big Sculpture exhibition represents a significant moment for CIAF and the broader First Nations art community,” said co-curator Janina Harding. “It’s a celebration of the ‘propabig’ ideas that shape our diverse cultures and lived experiences, brought to life by some of Queensland’s most talented First Nations artists.”
The Big Sculpture exhibition at the Brisbane Festival is an unmissable opportunity to experience the vibrant and dynamic world of contemporary Indigenous sculpture, as it continues to inspire, provoke, and celebrate the strength of First Nations artistic expression.
The touring exhibition is supported by Arts Queensland, Brisbane Powerhouse and Brisbane Festival.
IMAGE CREDITS: (Top) Brian Robinson, Bank’s Bounty: Exotic Cargo 2022 (Left) Toby Cedar, Kerker Nog (Seasonal Masks) 2022. Photography by Michael Marzik.
IMAGE GALLERY CREDITS BELOW: (1) Hans Ah Wang, Ailan 2022 (2) Alma Norman, Marlene Norman, Mavis Benjamin, Jumping Barramundi, 2022 (3) Shirley Macnamara, Through the Gidgea and Gum Trees. Over Spinifex Ridges and Black Soil Plains, 2022 (4) Ian Waldron, Totemic Forest 2022 (5) Dr. David Jones, Pull the pin, 2022 (5) Alma Norman, Marlene Norman, Mavis Benjamin, Wang Wik (Hairy Man), 2022 (6) Brian Robinson, Bank’s Bounty: Exotic Cargo 2022 (7) Toby Cedar, Kerker Nog (Seasonal Masks) 2022. Photography by Michael Marzik.
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