Entertainment
26 April, 2022
Queensland's Experienced Indigenous Models To Mentor Newcomers
WITH Cairns Indigenous Art Fair’s (CIAF) highly anticipated return just three months away, the curatorial team has issued a call out for models to participate in this year’s ‘Masters of Country’ themed fashion performance to be presented on Thursday, July 8 and Friday, July 9 at Tanks Arts Centre.
In 2022 CIAF’s Artistic Director Janina Harding will complete her seven-year contribution (and eighth fair) and tenure at the helm with the theme, ‘Masters of Country’: an artistic celebration of Queensland First Peoples’ knowledge and resourcefulness of Indigenous plants and trees.
‘Masters of Country’ is a culturally rich and inspired fashion presentation comprising music, dance, and language storytelling synonymous with Queensland’s First Peoples.
CIAF’s fashion performance provides an artistic platform to celebrate intergenerational Indigenous culture.
Seasoned fashion designer and first-time fashion performance curator Lynelle Flinders said this year’s cohort of models would be a mix of experienced Indigenous performers and newcomers.
“It is important that we secure a group of more experienced models that will lead the way and mentor first-timers into what is destined to be a truly exciting and special performance,” Ms Flinders said.
Including both 2020 and 2021 online iterations, one of Far North Queensland’s favourite Indigenous models and mentor, Benita Williams, has participated in almost every CIAF fashion performance since 2015.
“My experience with CIAF has been a real journey since my first fashion performance. Since then, I have met so many people within the modelling industry. It has been an amazing journey watching the event and audience grow,” Ms Williams said.
“CIAF is a great way to get into modelling and could easily lead you to other careers, whether it is art, fashion and/or performance.
“Once you’re in, we become like family, working together as one to create something so meaningful to our culture and who we are and where we come from.
“I love seeing new faces stepping in to have a go, it’s an awesome experience, and I’d recommend it to anyone with or without experience.
“I’m so excited to see what is created this year.”
Interested models and performances have until Friday, May 6, 2022, to complete an expression of interest online via the CIAF website, www.ciaf.com.au
