Everything you need to see from CIAF 2023

An indigenous cultural smorgasbord was on offer this weekend. See the pictures and a recap of the weekend that was dedicated to CIAF.

Catherine Duffy and Kristina Puljak

4 min read

July 17, 2023 - 8:04AM

The Cairns Post

Cairns

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The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair has concluded its 14th annual celebration of music and arts as thousands of faces participated and visited the events.

The annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and culture opened with a smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country by local Indigenous elders ahead of live music and dance performances.

Attendees were invited to view a vast array of artworks by Indigenous artists from all over the Far North with collections inspired by this year’s theme Weaving our Future; Claiming Our Sovereignty.

Winner of the 3D installations and artist Toby Cedar had his piece Nar (Canoe) bought by Cairns Airport for the revamping of the international terminal.

“CIAF is so special to me because it allows us to tell our stories, and compare with others around us,” Mr Cedar said.

“I see artists coming from different locations and we’re able to share the stories that are similar and vastly different, and our voice is being heard through CIAF.”

Mr Cedar is an artist currently based out of Newcastle.

“I’m passionate about teaching our story from the Torres Straight (where our people came from),” Mr Cedar said.

“CIAF gives us a platform to share these stories, but I also travel around teaching schools about the stories of our people.”

Nar is a piece that symbolises the travel between the islands of the Torres Strait, demonstrating in an almost life-size sculpture what their ventures for food would have looked like.

“They’d stand and paddle for weeks at a time,” Mr Cedar said.

“When we came to another island, we would come with peace offerings and exange our goods for their goods before we went on our way on these exact canoes.”

The piece was sold to Cairns Airport for $8700.

Toby Cedar's piece 'Nar (Canoe)' built of wood, bamboo, fibreglass, cane and raffia. The piece is 90cm x 430 cm x 50 cm and is symbolic of the longer canoes they used in the Torres Strait. Picture: Kristina Puljak

MEGA GALLERY: 200+ faces snapped at CIAF

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Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said art, culture and storytelling are central to the important work of truth-telling and healing.

“The First Nations arts sector in Queensland is built on thousands of years of practice, and as home to both Aboriginal cultures and Torres Strait Islander cultures, we have a unique opportunity to elevate the awareness, understanding and contributions of First Nations arts and cultures,” Ms Enoch said.

“CIAF plays a key role in sharing First Nations stories and cultural knowledge, increasing employment opportunities for First Nations artists and arts workers, and showcasing exceptional First Nations arts and cultural products and experiences.”

Cairns Indigenous Arts Fair artistic director Francoise Lane said since the beginning in 2009, CIAF has evolved into a meaningful and multidisciplinary event for cultural exchange.

“It has evolved into truth-telling and knowledge sharing that over the years has launched careers, provided pathways and is a valuable source of income underpinning the development and future of Queensland’s First Nations artists and industry,” Ms Lane said.

Taliu Aloua and Donal Ducie attend the opening night of Cairns Indigenous Art Fair on Thursday.

Activities will continue until Sunday with free and ticketed events available including the CIAF Art Market at the Convention Centre, Coconut Leaf Weaving Project, music and dance performances, a fashion performance and more.

An array of satellite exhibitions will also be on show around the city.

CIAF officially closes on Sunday afternoon.

Saturday, July 15

Art Fair- 9am- 5pm, Cairns Convention Centre

Inspired by this year’s theme Weaving our future; claiming our sovereignty the Art Fair showcases works from Queensland’s established and emerging Indigenous Art Centres, Queensland commercial galleries and independent Indigenous artists.

Art Market 9am- 5pm, Cairns Convention Centre

Enjoy the bustling CIAF Art Market inside the CIAF pavilion with over 5O stalls showcasing and selling art, craft and design works by Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and designers. Purchase art, craft and jewellery directly from the artists and entrepreneurs who create the work.

Public Programming, 9am- 5pm, Cairns Convention Centre

CIAF + Ngamumu Family Space- 9am- 5pm, Corridor, Wharf Street

CIAF Kids- 9am- 5pm, Hartley Street

Elders Lounge- 9am- 5pm, Corridor, Sheridan Street (South)

Coconut Leaf Weaving- 9am- 5pm, City Terrace

Artist Talks- 10am-4pm, Cairns Convention Centre

Listen to exhibiting Indigenous artists speak about their arts practice, what inspires them and their creative processes. Loose yourself in their artwork as you are invited into the mind of the artist.

Dance Workshop: Deaf Indigenous Dance Group- 11am- 12pm, Cairns Convention Centre

Masterclass: Printmaking with Robert Tommy Pau- 10am- 1pm, Cairns Convention Centre

CIAF Music in the Park: Live it Up- 6.30pm- 10pm, Munro Martin Parklands

CIAF Music in the Park – Live It Up! includes a deadly, Indigenous artist line up with national act Spinifex Gum featuring Marliya, a choir of talented young Indigenous female singers from Far North Queensland and Torres Strait, alongside Felix Riebl from Cat Empire and acclaimed singer-songwriter Emma Donovan.