CIAF opens on 13 July for its 8th iteration of music, dance and art events showcasing the talents of artists from Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as well as awarding a number of prizes celebrating excellence and innovation in the field.
A major group exhibition, with the theme ‘Family Values’, from curator and writer, Hetti Perkins and CIAF’s Artistic Director, Janina Harding, will be on view in Shed 3 of the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal. Next door viewers will find a rich art market hosting 55 exhibitors, including artists, designers, art centres, collectives and local galleries whose work is distinct with ghostnet weaving, Pormpuraaw, coil pots and ceramics. In parallel to the fair, a solo-show by Daniel Boyd, Greg Semu’s ‘BLOOD RED’ and ‘Lei it on: Lei in contemporary art practice from the Torres Strait Islands’ will be at Cairns Art Gallery. An exhibition of emerging photographic artists at Tank Arts Centre is drawn from practices in Woorabinda and Cairns, and a presentation from Gail Mabo with Umbrella Studios will celebrate 25 years of Mabo.
“What many people, especially interstate and overseas visitors don’t understand, is that most of Queensland’s Indigenous artists live and work in very isolated communities of Cape York and the Torres Strait. What CIAF does through its connections with some 13 art centres, is bring everyone together for the benefit of people who would otherwise not be able to experience the cultures,” said Harding.