From 5 to 6 July, the annual National Indigenous Art Fair celebrates its sixth edition at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks, Sydney. The ethical art market and festival offers a unique opportunity to buy artworks directly from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from remote community-owned art centres in the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.
Featuring artisans working closely with the resources found in their own environment, each community brings unique handcrafted and limited-edition items produced using locally sourced materials, dyes, natural fibres and the distinctive style of their region – with items available including original artworks, design objects, fashion, homewares, jewellery, and native dyed and hand-printed textiles.
National Indigenous Art Fair 2024. Photograph: Paul McMillan. Courtesy National Indigenous Art Fair, Sydney
A vibrant program of dance and live music performances – including an interactive weaving circle – is in the spirit of the 2025 NAIDOC Week theme, ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy’. Indigenous bush food plants and food offerings are another aspect of the fair, with dishes featuring native Australian plants and edibles freshly prepared by a guest chef (or two) on the BBQ.
An Indigenous fashion runway show is a new addition this year, highlighting new collection pieces that can be then purchased at the fair. While First Hand Solutions’ Heart in Art program, which provides economic and professional development opportunities to First Nations artists working in remote communities, is available for remote artists travelling to Sydney.
With a full schedule of live experiences, including talks, demonstrations, children’s workshops, and performances, the fair is open all day, each day, from 10am to 5pm (4pm on Sunday). Entry fees support the remote artists attending the event.
