CIAF 2025 begins at the Tanks Arts Centre

The 16th edition of the CIAF opens on Thursday, showcasing the best of Queensland First Nations art and culture for four jam-packed days. GET A PREVIEW

The 2025 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair officially opens on Thursday, with four days of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, installations, workshops, fashion and cultural performances. CIAF board members Tarragh Cunningham and Leitha Assin, artistic director Teho Ropeyarn and board member Vicki Saylor admire some of the ceramic artwork and prints on display this weekend at the Tanks Arts Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

First Nations art and culture will be showcased for four jam-packed days of the 16th edition of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair starting on Thursday at the Tanks Arts Centre.

The immersive artistic and cultural experience continuing until Sunday, July 13, will include fashion and cultural performances, art exhibits, food, artist talks and master classes reflecting this year’s theme, Pay Attention!, referencing a print work by Indigenous artist Tony Albert.

“It’s a reminder for our people just to stay vigilant and to keep addressing our social, cultural and political issues, and to stay at the forefront of all our issues, truth-telling and things like that,” CIAF artistic director Teho Ropeyarn said.

“But to also encourage artists to think outside the square and to push their practice.”

Mr Ropeyarn, who is directing CIAF for the first time, said he was “very proud” of this year’s showcase.

Brisbane artist Kerry Klimm has returned to her birthplace with her installation Spill the Tea on the Colony, an interactive art display at the Tanks Arts Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

“It’s a kaleidoscope of First Nations culture and art all in the one place … and just to see our art, Queensland art, and all our artists in one place has always been exciting,” he said.

With more than 400 First Nations artists and performers featuring in this year’s event, Mr Ropeyarn said he was proud of how CIAF functioned as a launch pad for creators and their work.

“We’ve platformed and nurtured independent artists from Queensland … (whose) works have been collected by major institutions, not only in Australia but internationally,” he said.

“And it’s been a platform for the Queensland product. It’s a movement that we’re very proud of and we’re just trying to grow that each and every year.”

CIAF has returned to the Tanks Art Centre for this year’s showcase, which is where it was first held 16 years ago.

“I tell the story of the impact of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and importantly … my family’s story, through tea, teapots (and) tea sets,” Ms Klimm said of her showcase. “It’s a journey of black love, joy and rage as I describe it.” Picture: Brendan Radke

“The fresh air in the botanical gardens is just the best place for our artists and our presenters and cultural practitioners here,” CIAF deputy chair Leitha Assan said.

“It’s a perfect time to visit Cairns and come and join in First Nations culture and arts, and learn and share in what we have to give.”

CIAF was established in 2009 as a part of the Queensland government’s Backing Indigenous Arts initiative, which aims to “sustain and grow ethical Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts industries” in Queensland.

In 2024, CIAF was estimated to have contributed more than $9m to the Cairns and Queensland economies.

To see the program of free and ticketed events, head to ciaf.com.au.

Originally published as CIAF 2025 begins at the Tanks Arts Centre