6 pm to 8 pm Saturday 12 July
Bringing his renowned creativity and cultural leadership to the stage in a powerful celebration of First Nations storytelling, identity, and tradition, Torres Strait Islander artist Alick Tipoti will headline Cairns Indigenous Art Fair’s (CIAF) Saturday night with a free event, Cultural Art Demonstrations.
Scheduled for Saturday 12 July, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Tanks Arts Centre Precinct, Cultural Art Demonstrations is a key new initiative aimed at activating the precinct at night and offering a culturally rich and accessible experience for both local communities and visitors. The performance will feature three dance groups in an immersive program that focuses on intergenerational knowledge sharing and the living legacies of culture.
Alick Tipoti, of Kala Lagaw Ya heritage and from Badu Island in the Torres Strait, is renowned for his work as a cultural practitioner, visual artist, dancer, and community leader.
At CIAF '25, Alick Tipoti plays a key role across multiple program areas, including:
- Art Fair Showcase (Tank 3 & 4)
- Artisans Showcase (Tanks Promenade)
- Opening Night Performance (Thursday 10 July)
- Cultural Art Demonstrations (Friday 11 – Sunday 13 July, Fig Tree near Tank 4)
- Cultural Practices Dance Performance (Saturday 12 July, Tank 5 & Precinct)
A master linocut printmaker and storyteller, Tipoti brings a profound connection to Zenadh Kes (Torres Strait) traditions through his artistic and cultural practice. His work—grounded in the spiritual teachings of his ancestors, the Zugubal—has been exhibited nationally and internationally. Tipoti’s art honours mythological narratives, traditional language, and ancestral knowledge systems, making his presence at CIAF '25 especially significant.
CIAF’s Artistic Director, Teho Ropeyarn, said the inclusion of Alick’s work and participation across the breadth of this year’s program reinforces the artist’s cultural influence and the vibrancy of Torres Strait Islander creative expression.
“Alick is not only one of the Torres Strait’s most respected artists, but he is also a cultural force—his work and performances resonate across generations,” Mr Ropeyarn said.
“To have him lead our new Cultural Art Demonstrations night is to anchor this celebration in authenticity and invite all audiences to witness culture in motion, under the stars,” he said.
Presented as a free community event, Cultural Art Demonstrations is part of CIAF’s broader commitment to inclusion, cultural sharing, and creating spaces where art and community meet. The Saturday evening event will also feature digital installations and extended trading hours for the Art Fair and Artisans Showcase, making it a must-attend experience for locals and visitors alike.
Image: Alick Tipoti, CIAF '25 Art Fair Showcase Booth. Photograph: Lewis James Media.