Cairns Indigenous Art Fair

The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) is Queensland, Australia’s premier Indigenous art fair. Since 2009, CIAF has celebrated and promoted the works of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander contemporary and traditional artists to the world. As a result of CIAF’s commitment to showcasing the highest quality fine art, our artists are now highly regarded. Aside from establishing a culturally-safe platform for visual artists to share their talent in an ethical marketplace, CIAF has grown to reflect the creativity of a much broader section of the artistic community. For many years now, CIAF events also focus on music, dance and fashion; providing visitors to the fair a full immersion into some of the oldest living and thriving cultures on the planet.

Lee Cavaliere

Janina Hardings shares her views!

Artistic Director

Cairns Indigenous Art Fair 2023

Location

51 esplanade
4870 Cairns
Queensland
Australia

Dates

13 – 16 July 2023

Entrance Fee

Free Admission

Mediums

Painting
Sculpture
Performance…

Art Periods

Contemporary

Contact

artfair@ciaf.com.au
(07) 4252 6312
Website

Ceramic Brussels

Insights Cairns Indigenous Art Fair

Lee Cavaliere

Janina Harding

Artistic Director

What would you say is the DNA of CIAF?

Our people and our culture, as well as the enormous and inspiring legacy of our ancestors. This is at the core of what we do at CIAF and drives us to uphold ethical market-place practices for our artists and celebrate our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures through a festival platform.

What type of galleries are chosen to exhibit, and why?

CIAF mainly exhibits works by artists associated with Indigenous Art Centres from across the state of Queensland. Such artists are our primary stakeholders. CIAF provides them with a culturally-safe platform to express their creativity and tell their stories, whilst also enjoying healthy economic returns. However, we also showcase independent artists who have no representation, as well as some commercial galleries (which are done so on an invitation-only basis).

What is the price range of pieces? Who is the average buyer?

We cater for both the fine art market, as well as for art lovers wishing to purchase works that are more affordable. Our Art Fair features pieces ranging from a few thousand dollars, to many tens of thousands. Our Art Market features a more eclectic range of art, artefacts and craft wares.

“CIAF mainly exhibits works by artists associated with Indigenous Art Centres from across the state of Queensland.”

VOLTA Basel

© Cairns Indigenous Art Fair

Who is the typical attendee of CIAF?

CIAF is a public event and open to everyone! Our attendees are made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from regional and remote Queensland, local Cairns residents, intra and inter-state travellers from across Queensland and Australia’s capital cities. As Cairns is a tourism hub in Tropical North Queensland we also attract international visitors. CIAF also hosts a prestigious Collectors & Curators Program, made up of private collectors and institution directors and curators from across Australia and abroad.

What strategy – physical as digital – will you adopt in medium to long term?

From March 2020 the world stopped. Events, especially Art Fairs, were impossible to hold in a physical sense. CIAF decided to go digital and hold our art fair online. The digital platform included pre-recorded and livestream performances, artist talks, a symposium, conversations and virtual galleries with online This year (2021) we are back to holding a physical event, at a bigger venue for the art fair and art market! We will continue to feature content online as part of a hybrid platform.

What are two other art fairs you would suggest?

Tarnanthi in Adelaide, South Australia and Desert Mob in Alice Springs.

You May Be Interested In

Knokke Art Fair
Affordable Melbourne

First held in London in 1999, Affordable Art Fair arrived in Melbourne in 2019 to promote emerging artists and talents of tomorrow. It hosts Australian and international galleries.

Knokke Art Fair
The Other Art Fair Sydney

Founded in 2010 to help young collectors buy their first pieces direct from the artists. The Other Art Fair arrived in Sydney in 2014 bringing creative contemporary art with it.

Knokke Art Fair
Melbourne Art Fair

Melbourne Art Fair, relaunched in 2018, presents the region’s newest and most exciting contemporary art through 40 leading galleries from Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia.

Knokke Art Fair
Sydney Contemporary

Sydney Contemporary is ambitious and vibrant . Modern and emerging art forms from up-and-coming artists are exhibited by international galleries since its creation in 2015.

The amazing Encounters sector at @artbasel 2024! 17 large-scale installations integrated within the fair and well-curated by @alexieglass.

My two favorite were:
• ‘Once Upon a Time’ by Li Wei, presented by @tangcontemporaryart
• ‘Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy’ created by @mak2protein for the fair and presented by @desarthegallery.
It’s was so much fun to navigate throw these amazing artworks!
Arty outfit by @elisechalmin 🙏 

#artbasel #artbaselhongkong #mak2 #liwei #largescaleart #artinstallation #artlover #contemporaryart

The amazing Encounters sector at @artbasel 2024! 17 large-scale installations integrated within the fair and well-curated by @alexieglass.

My two favorite were:
• ‘Once Upon a Time’ by Li Wei, presented by @tangcontemporaryart
• ‘Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy’ created by @mak2protein for the fair and presented by @desarthegallery.
It’s was so much fun to navigate throw these amazing artworks!
Arty outfit by @elisechalmin 🙏

#artbasel #artbaselhongkong #mak2 #liwei #largescaleart #artinstallation #artlover #contemporaryart
...

1442 93
@artbasel Hong Kong 2024! A very exciting edition full of discoveries with 243 galleries from around the world.

My three highlights are: 
• @ryanjgander at @galeriemennour 
• @artistjinju at @arariogallery_official 
• @mrdoodle at @pearllamgalleries 

👗Arty outfit by @elisechalmin

#artbasel #artbaselhongkong #hongkong #contemporaryart #artlover #mrdoodle #artcollector

@artbasel Hong Kong 2024! A very exciting edition full of discoveries with 243 galleries from around the world.

My three highlights are:
• @ryanjgander at @galeriemennour
• @artistjinju at @arariogallery_official
• @mrdoodle at @pearllamgalleries

👗Arty outfit by @elisechalmin

#artbasel #artbaselhongkong #hongkong #contemporaryart #artlover #mrdoodle #artcollector
...

1854 111
My full article about @drawingnowartfair is now online, on artfairmag.com ✨

#drawingnow #artlover #drawing #contemporarydrawing #contemporaryart #artfair

My full article about @drawingnowartfair is now online, on artfairmag.com ✨

#drawingnow #artlover #drawing #contemporarydrawing #contemporaryart #artfair
...

399 27
@galerieericmouchet at @drawingnowartfair 2024. Léo Marin presents a work by Samuel Tranquier.
@curator.on.the.run 

#samueltranquier #drawingnow #contemporarydrawing #contemporaryart #ericmouchet

@galerieericmouchet at @drawingnowartfair 2024. Léo Marin presents a work by Samuel Tranquier.
@curator.on.the.run

#samueltranquier #drawingnow #contemporarydrawing #contemporaryart #ericmouchet
...

176 15
@ayyamgallery at @artdubai 2024. @mayyasamm presents a striking blue work by @rulahalawani.

#artdubai #photography #contemporaryart #artoftheday

@ayyamgallery at @artdubai 2024. @mayyasamm presents a striking blue work by @rulahalawani.

#artdubai #photography #contemporaryart #artoftheday
...

732 49
📣Upcoming ´1 minute in the booth’ at @drawingnowartfair 2024
• Galerie Éric Mouchet: Paris, Forest Brussels
@galerieericmouchet 
• Galerie Ariane C-Y: Paris
@galeriearianecy 
• Galerie C: Neuchâtel, Paris
@galerie_c 
• Galerie Younique: Lima, Paris
@galerieyounique 

#drawingnow #contemporarydrawing #artlover #artenthusiast #contemporaryart

📣Upcoming ´1 minute in the booth’ at @drawingnowartfair 2024
• Galerie Éric Mouchet: Paris, Forest Brussels
@galerieericmouchet
• Galerie Ariane C-Y: Paris
@galeriearianecy
• Galerie C: Neuchâtel, Paris
@galerie_c
• Galerie Younique: Lima, Paris
@galerieyounique

#drawingnow #contemporarydrawing #artlover #artenthusiast #contemporaryart
...

104 6
@drawingnowartfair 2024 was my hunting ground today to find the perfect drawing for my home. Mission accomplished with a stunning floral composition by @camillechastang presented in @doublevgallery’s dreamlike booth.
Drawing Now, March 21-24, 2024 at the @carreaudutemple, Paris.

The two other works are:
• @emilferris at @galerie.martel 
• @chiharushiota at @galerietemplon 
Pink wall at @galerie_suzanne_tarasieve’s booth

Thanks @clmdmn for filming 🙏 

#drawingnow #contemporarydrawing #contemporaryart #drawing #carreaudutemple #paris

@drawingnowartfair 2024 was my hunting ground today to find the perfect drawing for my home. Mission accomplished with a stunning floral composition by @camillechastang presented in @doublevgallery’s dreamlike booth.
Drawing Now, March 21-24, 2024 at the @carreaudutemple, Paris.

The two other works are:
• @emilferris at @galerie.martel
• @chiharushiota at @galerietemplon
Pink wall at @galerie_suzanne_tarasieve’s booth

Thanks @clmdmn for filming 🙏

#drawingnow #contemporarydrawing #contemporaryart #drawing #carreaudutemple #paris
...

1687 83
In conversation with @manuelarayo, founder of @miraartfair which will take place next September in Paris. This fair, dedicated exclusively to Latin American artists, aims to fill a gap in the European art scene, offering a platform for the rich diversity and cultural vibrancy of Latin America. With a focus on quality over quantity, MIRA promises an intimate and exclusive experience, showcasing 20 high-caliber galleries and fostering deep, meaningful connections among artists, collectors, and the public.
Thank you Manuela for your smile and good energy!

#miraartfair #latinamericanart #latinamerica #colombianart #mexicanart #contemporaryart #parisart #artfair

In conversation with @manuelarayo, founder of @miraartfair which will take place next September in Paris. This fair, dedicated exclusively to Latin American artists, aims to fill a gap in the European art scene, offering a platform for the rich diversity and cultural vibrancy of Latin America. With a focus on quality over quantity, MIRA promises an intimate and exclusive experience, showcasing 20 high-caliber galleries and fostering deep, meaningful connections among artists, collectors, and the public.
Thank you Manuela for your smile and good energy!

#miraartfair #latinamericanart #latinamerica #colombianart #mexicanart #contemporaryart #parisart #artfair
...

433 32
@robilantvoenagallery at @tefaf Maastricht 2024. @stanislas.mf presents an incredible Magdalene by Artemisia Gentileschi.

#artemisiagentileschi #antiquepainting #tefaf #oldmasterpainting #femaleartist #renaissanceart #renaissance

@robilantvoenagallery at @tefaf Maastricht 2024. @stanislas.mf presents an incredible Magdalene by Artemisia Gentileschi.

#artemisiagentileschi #antiquepainting #tefaf #oldmasterpainting #femaleartist #renaissanceart #renaissance
...

339 14
Discover my full coverage of @tefaf Maastricht 2024, now on artfairmag.com!

#tefaf #tefafmaastricht #contemporaryart #modernart #artofinstagram #artlover #artcollector

Discover my full coverage of @tefaf Maastricht 2024, now on artfairmag.com!

#tefaf #tefafmaastricht #contemporaryart #modernart #artofinstagram #artlover #artcollector
...

907 35
Landau Fine Art at @tefaf Maastricht 2024. Founder Jennifer Landau presents a masterpiece by Vassily Kandinsky from 1910.

#vassilykandinsky #kandinsky #tefaf #tefafmaastricht #abstraction #masterpiece #modernart #modernpainting

Landau Fine Art at @tefaf Maastricht 2024. Founder Jennifer Landau presents a masterpiece by Vassily Kandinsky from 1910.

#vassilykandinsky #kandinsky #tefaf #tefafmaastricht #abstraction #masterpiece #modernart #modernpainting
...

454 17
In conversation with Touria el Glaoui, the founder of @154artfair. She discusses the evolution of 1-54, the art fair dedicated to contemporary African art. Since its inception in London in 2013, 1-54 has expanded globally to New York, Marrakech, and Hong Kong, aiming to increase visibility for African and diaspora artists. This growth highlights 1-54’s commitment to promoting cultural exchange and showcasing the diversity of African artistic talent on the world stage.
Thank you Touria for this inspiring conversation!
@telglaoui 

#154 #154artfair #154hongkong #154marrakech #christies #touriaelglaoui #africanart #africanartist #africanartists

In conversation with Touria el Glaoui, the founder of @154artfair. She discusses the evolution of 1-54, the art fair dedicated to contemporary African art. Since its inception in London in 2013, 1-54 has expanded globally to New York, Marrakech, and Hong Kong, aiming to increase visibility for African and diaspora artists. This growth highlights 1-54’s commitment to promoting cultural exchange and showcasing the diversity of African artistic talent on the world stage.
Thank you Touria for this inspiring conversation!
@telglaoui

#154 #154artfair #154hongkong #154marrakech #christies #touriaelglaoui #africanart #africanartist #africanartists
...

424 18