Entertainment
23 November, 2025
CIAF reveals 2026 projects
CAIRNS Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) has unveiled its 2026 Hero Artwork Animation and a major new First Nations commissioning project, building on a record-breaking 2025 season.
The 2026 Hero Artwork Animation is a collaboration with Far North Queensland creative collective Red Ochre Republic, led by Tarquin Singleton, Sheree Jacobs and Leigh Harris.
The immersive animation transforms CIAF’s annual hero artwork into a large-scale projection and central branding motif, bringing the 2026 curatorial theme, ‘Reclamation & Regeneration’, to life.
The work explores remembrance, renewal and cultural strength, reclaiming language, identity and spirit through contemporary visual art.
CIAF artistic director Teho Ropeyarn said the animation embodied the organisation’s forward momentum and dedication to First Nations voices.
“This animation is a powerful expression of reclamation – it honours cultural survival, creative resurgence and the connection our artists maintain with Country,” Mr Ropeyarn said.
Resonance, a CIAF art commissioning project, is funded with $70,000 from Arts Queensland’s First Nations Commissioning Fund. The initiative will support a First Nations artist from concept to fabrication, culminating in a central installation to debut at CIAF 2026.
