Old and new to combine at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair launch
Ancient culture will merge with cutting-edge technology when a reinvented Cairns Indigenous Arts Fair gets under way this year. SEE THE PROGRAM
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ANCIENT culture will merge with cutting edge technology when a reinvented Cairns indigenous Arts Fair gets under way in a post-COVID world this year.
In unveiling its 2020 program of events today using an innovative, online format, CIAF has invited the world to take part its annual showcase of Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and culture.
Celebrating 11-years in 2020 the theme of this year’s fair is “Cultural Evolution”.
The Cultural Evolution is a digital translation of its physical event program that is bookended by opening and closing ceremonies with a series of live stream presentations, performances, webinars, workshops, community spotlights, conversations and virtual gallery exhibitions rolling out over 10 days between August 14 and August 23.
CIAF’s artistic director Janina Harding said this year’s program was so much more than a series of events that can be embraced, engaged with and enjoyed online, but at a profound level was a reflection of first nation peoples’ resilience and survival skills.
“From the outset of pandemic restrictions CIAF as an organisation, was asking what it could do to continue supporting artists and communities who have come to rely on the event,” she said.
World renowned contributing printmaker to this year’s fair, Paul Bong, said it was always an exciting time of year as an indigenous artist.
“I look forward to it because as an artist and looking at others artists’ work and how they have developed, it really touches my heart,” he said.
“Everybody gets together, all different artists and they all show beautiful works.”
The Queensland Government has provided CIAF with $600,000 in funding and lent additional support for the Premier’s Award for Excellence category in the CIAF Art Awards. The opening night program will be hosted by actor and writer, Elaine Crombie on August 14.
CIAF PROGRAM 2020
OPENING NIGHT
Friday 14 August 2020
Traditionally held in the waterfront gardens of Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal, this year’s opening celebration has been created for a digital format comprising a program of short presentations from the region’s Traditional Owners, Premier of Queensland, Governor of Queensland and CIAF Artistic Director, Janina Harding.
VIRTUAL GALLERIES AND EXHIBITIONS
CIAF Art Fair 2020
Friday 14 to Sunday 13 September 2020
A virtual showcase of 300 art works by Queensland First Peoples’ artists.
Undercurrents – Cook 2020
Wednesday 19 to Sunday 13 September 2020
A virtual exhibition that surveys the impact of Cook and what he represents to First Nations Peoples of Queensland.
CIAF 2020 Art Awards
Saturday 22 August 2020, 7pm – 8pm
Hosted by Elaine Crombie, Queensland’s Indigenous artists and art centres will be recognised among peers at this year’s fourth annual CIAF Art Awards.
ONLINE ART MARKET
Friday 14 to Sunday 23 August 2020
A bumper cache of artists and enterprises showcasing and selling art, craft and design works by Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and designers.
CIAF FASHION SHOWCASE
Water is sacred
Friday 21 August 2020, 7pm – 8.30pm
Flipping the Fashion status quo as we move from the built environment to the natural environs of the reef and rainforest. Where Country is the catwalk, and collections ‘are inspired by the theme of Water, while delivering a Climate Change message.
CHILDREN’S PROGRAM
Story-time Sessions
Join Kuku Yalanji woman Merindi Schreiber, as she takes you on a journey through song.
ONLINE PERFORMANCE PROGRAM
Streamed to you throughout the 10 days – Friday 14 to Sunday 23 August 2020
Music and Cultural Dance from Queensland Communities
CIAF Comedy
A favourite performer at CIAF’s past, Sean Choolburra will return to deliver a series of short comedy skits.
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.
TALKS
CIAF Conversations – Indigenous Tourism
Monday 17 August 2020, 2pm – 3pm
Join proud Noonuccal Nuugi man Wesley Enoch, a Stage Writer/Director and current Sydney Festival Director in conversation with an expert panel of Indigenous tourism operators.
CIAF Conversations – Cook 2020
Wednesday 19 August 2020, 2pm – 3pm
Join proud Noonuccal Nuugi man Wesley Enoch, a Stage Writer/Director and current Sydney Festival Director in conversation with Indigenous artists and community storytellers and they share their response to the 250 anniversary of Cook’s voyage around Australia.
CIAF Conversations – Indigenous Fashion
Friday 21 August 2020, 2pm – 3pm
Join proud Noonuccal Nuugi man Wesley Enoch, a Stage Writer/Director and current Sydney Festival Director in conversation with Indigenous fashion designers, artists and industry professionals on the sustainability of Indigenous fashion and design.
CIAF Symposium – Climate Change
Tuesday 18 August 2020, 2pm – 4pm
Hosted by Brenda L Croft from the Gurindji/Malngin/Mudburra peoples, art curator and Associate professor, Indigenous Art History & Curatorship at ANU. Speakers include Murrandoo Yanner, Alexis Wright, Marina Babia and more.
CIAF CLOSING CEREMONY
Sunday 23 August 2020
The Traditional Owners of Cairns and CIAF Artistic Director will officially bring CIAF 2020 – The Cultural Evolution to a close after announcing the People’s Choice Art Award winner and afternoon showcase concert at Tanks Arts Centre. (Live stream)
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