Cairns Indigenous Art Fair

The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair is bringing The Cultural Evolution to your home this year with a new digital festival platform. 10 days of events from Friday 14 to Sunday 23 August 2020 and you are invited to experience performances, workshops, conversations, webinars, community spotlights, virtual gallery exhibitions, live stream presentations and conversations.

“The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair is dedicated to supporting the careers of Queensland Indigenous artists by providing a platform for exposure and income generation.” With interest from international curators and collectors, artists established and emerging can establish pathways around the globe.

At this time of learning and listening when better to be immersed in the heritage and future of Queensland’s First Peoples’ Artists.

Performance Program

Music & Cultural Dance from Queensland Communities – performers and teams from Cairns, Cape York and Torres Strait.

Community Spotlights

A selection of interviews from the communities of Cairns, Cape York and torres Strait Islands. Topics include the impact of COVID 19 on their community, climate change, culture and art.

CIAF Comedy

Sean Choolburra returns to deliver a series of short skits. Growing up in Townsville, Sean established himself as a professional dancer with the Bangarra Dance Company and his own Ngaru Dance company before becoming one of the Australia’s most versatile Aboriginal entertainers and comedians.

Art Demonstrations

Video demonstrations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditional and contemporary weaving and wood carving designed to share stories, cultural knowledge and artistic practice.

Children’s Program

Learn traditional language and stories through song with Kuku Yalanji woman Merindi Schreiber. Boigu Island Elder Ray Marama shares his culture with songs and dance from the Torres Strait.

CIAF Art Fair

Tour 300 artworks by Queensland First Peoples’ artists

Virtual Gallery

Undercurrents – Cook 2020, 19 August – 13 September 2020. Curated by Janina Harding and Hetti Perkins – Artists survey the impact of Cook and what he represents to First Peoples of Queensland.

Art Awards

Hosted by Elaine Crombie, actor, director, First Nations Organiser for the Media Entertainment Arts Alliance, producer, singer, songwriter, stand-up comedian and writer, and a staunch MEAA member who has appeared in multiple plays, TV series and films.

Market Place

Purchase art, craft and merchandise directly from Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and entrepreneurs

CIAF Fashion Showcase

Friday 21 August 7-8pm. Based on the theme Water is Sacred “collections are inspired by the theme water, whilst delivering a climate change message. A narrative through sustainable fashion, wearable art/design and a fusion of Contemporary & Cultural Dance.”

CIAF Conversations

Hosted by proud Noonuccal Nuugi man Wesley Enoch – Stage Writer/Director and current Sydney Festival Director.

Indigenous Tourism – Indigenous tourism operators and industry advocates discuss the vital role Indigenous cultures’ has on Australian tourism and the positive impact it can have for indigenous communities.

Cook 2020 – Indigenous artists and community story-tellers share their response to the 250th anniversary of Cook’s voyage around Australia.

Indigenous Fashion – Indigenous fashion designers, artists and industry professionals on the sustainability of Indigenous fashion & design.

CIAF Symposium – Climate Change : Hosted by Brenda L Croft from the Gurinji/Malngin/Mudburra peoples, Art Curator & Associate Professor of Indigenous Art History & Curatorship at ANU.

For more info head to www.ciaf.com.au