Indigenous art takes centre stage in Sydney this June
The Rocks Overseas Passenger Terminal transforms into a cultural hub this month for the National Indigenous Art Fair.
This month, the National Indigenous Art Fair (NIAF) is back for its fifth year in Gadigal country. The vibrant cultural event will take place at Sydney’s The Rocks Overseas Passenger Terminal, with plenty of live Indigenous music and dance performances and interactive experiences for all ages. The ethical marketplace provides a unique opportunity to access artwork — including art, jewellery, gifts, and homewares — from remote areas around the country.
During the two-day festival, visitors can explore the marketplace, interact with the artists, and immerse themselves in Indigenous culture through music, dance, cultural displays, and workshops.
The program for this year’s fair includes a Smoking Ceremony, traditional dances, and unique experiences such as sampling native bush foods. There will also be interactive workshops, including an Ochre painting class where you can learn traditional painting techniques and history from Kunwinjku artists at the Injalak Arts Centre. Additionally, there will be a weaving workshop with Regina Wilson, a master fibre weaver from Durrmu Arts in Peppimenarti, and a children’s workshop with Indigenous artist and storyteller Amanda Reynolds, where kids can craft their own wearable possum armband. Throughout the event, there will also be free communal weaving circles, sand painting, and Torres Strait Islander dance workshops.
For the first time, this year’s fair presents a new exhibit called The Living Room, which is dedicated to showcasing furniture, textiles, and homewares designed by First Nations artists and designers, all of which are available for purchase.
“The Living Room concept stemmed from the idea to have a display area which could showcase the exceptional works from the art centres attending NIAF in a practical space open for the public to experience,” explains Indigenous Australian actor and curator of The Living Room Miah Madden.
“Attendees can see examples of how the art can be a part of their home. Sofas upholstered with fabric from Ikuntji Artists and adorned with carvings, sculptural pieces, ceramics, books, and woven lampshades, to name a few, will be on display, creating a mosaic of unique Indigenous Art. All works displayed in the Living Room will be on sale with 100 per cent commission to the seller.”
With many Indigenous artists travelling to Sydney for the first time, the fair has become a significant annual event for many remote communities. “There is a thirst for Aboriginal art and culture in Sydney, and this has been demonstrated by the large number of people attending NIAF every year since it began,” says Peter Cooley, CEO of First Hand Solutions, the Aboriginal Corporation that organises the fair annually.
“This fair provides visitors with a rare opportunity to meet Indigenous artists from some of the most remote parts of Australia all in one place,” he says.
All proceeds from purchases at the fair go directly back to the artists and First Nations communities, with the fair taking no commission on any work sold.
“For the buyers and visitors, I hope they enjoy the fair, engage, learn and take the rare opportunity to buy directly from the artists. Very few people invest money or support without first having a conversation, and I hope these conversations lead to sales, growing networks and ongoing business after the event,” says Cooley.
Leading up to the fair, artists have the opportunity to take part in First Hand Solutions’ Heart in Art program. Remote artists are paired with Aboriginal curators in art institutions. They also participate in workshops with successful artists to learn new skills, which they can bring back to their communities after the fair. Additionally, they have the chance to connect with corporate organisations and galleries looking to commission or purchase art.
Entry to the fair is just $2.50 (free for children under five years old), and all visitors have the unique opportunity to buy artworks directly from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists at remote community-owned art centres in the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia.
The National Indigenous Art Fair 2024 will be held at The Rocks from June 29 to 30, 2024. To find out more, visit niaf.com.au.
