Now in it’s sixth year, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair will showcase Queensland’s outstanding artists to the world. 

Bringing the best Queensland and Torres Strait Islander artwork together with the world’s leading collectors and curators from 31 July to 2 August 2015, this annual event is an opportunity to showcase the talents of Queensland’s First Nations visual artists providing a platform to express and tell their stories through various visual mediums.

An expanded entertainment program will offer a stunning mix of arts, dance, song, theatre, film, fashion and food in and around the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal.  Headlined by ARIA award-winning performers Christine Anu and Archie Roach OAM coming together for the opening night, will see these stars make musical history.

For the first time the Art Fair is curated by new Artistic Director Janina Harding in collaboration with curator, writer and ABC Art + Soul creator Hetti Perkins, to showcase the finest Indigenous art from across the state .  CIAF’s new management team will also bring collectors and curators to Yarrabah Arts & Cultural Centre to meet local artists at work.

The group will included visitors from the Museums of the American Indian, Smithsonian Museum, Kluge Ruhe Aboriginal Art Gallery from the University of Virginia, The Australian National Maritime Museum and many major private collectors. 

The CIAF Art Market, also a first of CIAF, will operate in tandem with the Art Fair, enabling Indigenous arts centers and galleries that represent hundred of artists, to display art, craft, textiles, jewelry and merchandise, direct to the public.

“We know serious collectors will find some of the most exciting work in Australia at the Art Fair, while those looking for a beautiful piece of art on a small budget will find some treasures at the Art Market,” says CIAF Artistic Director Janina Harding.

A fashion performance more colorful and creative than anything seen on the catwalks in Paris or New York will thrill audiences at CIAF on Friday 31 July.

Fashion, art, music and culture collide for one extraordinary performance.  Birrimbi Dulgu Bajal (Sea and Rainforest Dreaming) will feature work by 10 Queensland Indigenous designers, as well as artists, musicians and models, all under the skilled direction of curator and fashion designer Grace Lillian Lee.

Author, dancer and choreographer Fiona Wirrer-George (Oochunyung) choreographs the performance, while multi-instrumentalist, Will Kepa, leads an assemblage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander singers in a choir who will be singing in language. 

Birrimbi Dulgu Bajal  (Sea and Rainforest Dreaming) pop up shops will offer textiles, clothing and accessories, allowing attendees to purchase straight from the designers.

There is an extensive line up of events over 3 full days, with something for the whole family to experience, spanning over several locations in Cairns.  For the full CIAF 2015 Program and the location and addresses of events, please check online at:

CIAF 2015 Program