By Cassandra Pulver

At the opening night of CIAF held on 31st July, Minister for the Arts, Senator George Brandis announced that the Federal Government has committed $22.2 million to support and develop professional Indigenous visual arts practice and further strengthen the sector.

Funding through the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program in 2015-16 includes $11 million committed in previous years through multi-year funding agreements.

With the success of the recent Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) held from  31st July to 2nd August, the announcement was timed perfectly.

The Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program contributes to the operations of a national network of around 80 Indigenous-owned arts centres and five service organisations that are at the heart of Australia’s world-renowned Indigenous visual art movement.
As well as supporting art centres and service organisations, the program will contribute to a number of key promotion and marketing events, including the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair and Revealed, a showcase of emerging Aboriginal artists from Western Australia.

CIAF 2015 was a profusion of creative energy and talent that engulfed this year’s event, as in previous years.  The official opening night celebrations held on Thursday evening began with a bang and MC Kevin Kropinyeri an Indigenous comedian had the audience in stitches.

The proceedings were addressed by such dignitaries as His Excellency the Hon. Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland a Patron of CIAF, The Hon. Annastacia Palaszczuk, Attorney general, Senator the Hon George Brandis, QC, Minister for the Arts, Mayor Cr Bob Manning OAM and CIAF Patron - First Nations Henrietta Fourmile-Marrie.

Guests were entertained by performances from Briscoe Sister’s ‘Bama’ (Deline and Merindi Briscoe - Bama is a call for everyone to look/listen, something is happening.  Gudjugudju took the stage as ‘Bama’ finished. And Welcome to Country was offered by WTC-Yidinji dancers and Gudjugudju (Seith Fourmile).  Other acts captivating the audience with their visual performances were Lockhart River Dancers, Torres Strait Dancers and the Young Performing Arts Group.  

The main act which bought the crowd to their feet was two of Australia’s most loved and respected Indigenous artists Christine Anu who was supported by guest artists Archie Roach.  They both came together to celebrate major musical anniversaries of their debut albums. It has been 25 years since Roach’s Charcoal Lane and 20 years since Anu’s Stylin’ Up were both released, which have earned rightful places as iconic milestones in Australian musical history.

On the Friday evening guests were treated to a fusion of fashion, art, music and culture in one extraordinary performance.  Burrimbi Dulgu Bajal (Sea and Rainforest Dreaming) was a fashion performance equally colorful and creative as anything seen on the catwalks in Paris and New York.

The performance featured ten Queensland Indigenous designers, as well as artists, musicians and models all under the skilled direction of curator and fashion designer Grace Lilian Lee.

The performance had two distinct acts, the first where designers showcased pieces that tell new stories of Indigenous culture and the second in which designers and models blended with performance artists in a multimedia show fused with the wisdom of elders and incorporating traditional artifacts and textiles.  

Author, dancer and choreographer Fiona Wirrer-George choreographed the performances while multi-instrumentalist, Will Kepa, lead an assemblage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander signers in a choir who sang in their language. There was also a surprise performance by Archie Roach.

While the champagne flowed freely and the canapés were plentiful, guests were in awe of the entire production. 

With the announcement of $22.2 million Federal funding by Minister for the Arts, Senator George Brandis, the support of Indigenous arts, events and creative talent, like that which flowed throughout the entire CIAF event, provides a level of confidence in its return in the future for another successful year.