Entertainment
5 June, 2022
CIAF RETURNS IN 2022 with theme Masters of Country
AFTER a two-year COVID-induced digitality, the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) returns face to face with a fantastic lineup of Indigenous artists from all around Queensland and a range of memorable events in a weekend of tribute to Indigenous voices from July 6 to 10.
On Friday, May 27, the official launch unveiled the 2022 program that will showcase 300 visual artists and 150 performers across the Cairns Convention Centre and satellite hubs.
CIAF gets to celebrate its 13th anniversary with a much-awaited return to a face-to-face format after two years of challenging online programming.
CIAF’s Artistic Director Janina Harding is excited to be a part of the 2022 edition as her final season with CIAF.
“After two years of not having a physical art fair, in 2022, everyone can come together; that’s why it’s so exciting,” Ms Harding said.
“People come from the Cape and the Torres Strait, from down South, and all over the country, they gravitate to CIAF.
“Because they know that there’s an established art movement here.”
This year’s theme for CIAF is Masters of Country, which has a deep significance for artists and organisers alike.
Ms Harding said that CIAF lends a space for non-Indigenous people to listen to what Indigenous voices have to say.
“CIAF brings the non-Indigenous community closer to the Indigenous community,” she said.
“Because they can experience and immerse themselves in the culture, and they can have a casual conversation with the artists and people in our communities.
“And this year’s theme is about putting our people front and centre, teaching non-Indigenous people that we have knowledge that has been around since the beginning of time and that is sacred to us, and we want to share it with people.
“You just have to listen, and a lot of CIAF is about deep listening; stop talking and listen to us, take it all in, and that’s what you’ll see at the art fair and throughout CIAF.”
Some of the highlights of CIAF 2022 are the expanded art fair and markets at the Cairns Convention Centre, a new Big Sculpture Showcase featuring 187 large scale pieces, CIAF’s symposium and the Fashion Performance.
Torres Strait Island renowned artist and curator for CIAF Francoise Lane will be showcasing five paintings and a sculpture in this year’s CIAF.
Ms Lane has been an avid participant and supporter of CIAF, and she said that events like this lend unique opportunities to Indigenous artists to showcase their talents.
“It’s very exciting that people can go back to experiencing art in person,” she said.
“And events like CIAF are essential for Indigenous arts to thrive.
“We need somewhere to show our work, and there is so much talent in the Far North region and all over Queensland.
“CIAF has such a variety of events and ways to support different creatives like performers or visual arts.
“There’s such a range to lift and show off, which makes CIAF one of the great events in Queensland for Indigenous culture and creativity.”
One of the paintings that Ms Lane will be displaying at CIAF is called Whisperings of Country, which aligns with the theme Masters of Country.
“For me, Masters of Country is almost like a spirit, something that lives inside,” Ms Lane said.
“I grew up in a large Indigenous family, I’m Meriam and Kaurareg, and the values I’ve been brought up in are honouring country, respecting country, caring for it, caring for family, and honouring elders.
“So Whisperings of Country is a topography view of my family’s block on Kerriri, also known as Hammond Island, and this piece is about walking silently through country, and when you do walk silently, it reveals things to you.
“You sense those who have gone before you; open yourself up to see the knowledge that they’ve left behind.”
CIAF 2022 will have four days full of Indigenous arts and entertainment, from visual arts to theatre, comedy, music and dance but what Artistic Director Janina Harding is looking forward to the most is embracing the community.
“It’s the people what I’m looking forward to the most,” she said.
“For the past two years, we haven’t been able to see them; we only saw them on video.
“And it’s not the same when you can be with your people; you can hug them again, you can embrace their stories, that’s what I’m most excited about.”
Tickets for CIAF are on sale from today. For more information and to purchase tickets for the Symposium, Opening Night Party, and Fashion Show, visit https://ciaf.com.au/
