News

This week Cairns Indigenous Art Fair’s longest serving staff member, Wanda Weatherall notched up a decade of service to the organisation now regarded Australia’s premier art fair and Queensland’s quintessential showcase of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and culture.

CIAF’s Artistic Director Janina Harding praised Wanda for her commitment to CIAF and long service and said it was sad the team could not celebrate her dedication in person during this period of social distancing and working from home.

The Board of Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) has announced the appointment of Mr Darrell Harris to the position of General Manager. 

Mr Harris, an experienced and respected practitioner committed to lifting the profile of Queensland’s Indigenous arts and culture, will lead CIAF into a new decade when he commences with the organisation this week.

Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) and Cairns Airport are seeking creative submissions from Queensland’s Indigenous artists to have their artworks featured prominently within the Airport’s newly redeveloped T2 Domestic Terminal.

Following this year’s watershed, 10th anniversary celebration, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) will return in July 2020 with a contemporary focus that looks to the environment and its preservation from a First Peoples’ point of view.

While record art sales and visitor numbers are key yardsticks achieved by Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) in its 10 year, it is a series of qualitative outcomes that define success and sustainability for Queensland’s quintessential First Peoples’ cultural event.

Sunshine filled days and a diverse, predominantly free program abounding in highpoints, drew community and visitors together in their thousands to immerse themselves in an intergenerational, cultural exchange underpinned by this year’s themes of traditional language and storytelling.

Monday 15 July 2019. People spoke with their feet this week with sold out events throughout the city’s artistic and cultural hubs and huge numbers throughout the Art Fair and Market for Cairns Indigenous Art Fair’s 10th anniversary.

Friday 12 July, 2018. Some of Queensland’s outstanding Indigenous artists and organisations were recognised among peers at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair’s opening party held last night.

CIAF’s artistic director, Janina Harding said CIAF’s award recipients were decided this week by an esteemed judging panel comprising Liz Ann Macgregor, Director of Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney, Nici Cumpston, Curator Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art, Art Gallery of South Australia and Teho Ropeyarn, Curator, Cairns Art Gallery.

With the 10th anniversary just weeks away, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) is taking stock of valuable support, recognising a long-term partnership with Sea Swift that has been elevated in 2019 to present this year’s Art Market, opening night fireworks and freighting services.

CIAF General Manager Vanessa Gillen said local companies like Sea Swift underpin the event with solid, unwavering support.