National Indigenous Art Fair Returns to Sydney This Winter
Indigenous artists from around Australia will come together on the 1st and 2nd of July 2023, for the fourth National Indigenous Art Fair (NIAF) — a two-day ethical art market and festival taking place on Gadigal Land at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks, Sydney.
Words: Cardia Speziale I Photography: Courtesy of Destination NSW
Basket weaving with Margaret Djarrbalabal Malibirr. Photo: Courtesy Destination NSW
Trudy Brumby & Kunbry Pei Pei of Walkatjara Art.
‘So many of our Elders have been trailblazers in the art world. Their work is sought after by galleries here and overseas, and it’s their creations many visitors want to see when they come to Australia. Elders lead by example. They’re training the next generation of artists in the art, craft and culture of their regions and passing on the stories intrinsic in their artwork,’ says Peter Cooley. Pictured: Basket weaving with May Grace Johnson. Photo: Courtesy Destination NSW
Located on Sydney Harbour’s stunning foreshore and running across the first weekend of July, the National Indigenous Art Fair (NIAF) will showcase the latest award-winning works from Indigenous artists, designers and makers from remote art centres around Australia. From artworks to design objects, fashion, jewellery, homewares and native dyed and hand-printed textiles, each maker brings to the art fair their individual range of unique handcrafted and limited-edition items produced using locally sourced materials and the distinct style of their region.
‘The NIAF represents an incredible gathering of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives from across Australia and all the different styles of art of those regions, with many artists travelling from the far corners of Australia — places like Aurukun in remote Queensland, and Ramingining, the Tiwi Islands and Yuendumu in the Northern Territory. It presents a rare and exciting opportunity for Sydneysiders to interact directly with the makers,’ says Peter Cooley, CEO of First Hand Solutions Aboriginal Corporation, which organises the art fair.
Officially welcoming this incredible cohort of practitioners to Sydney, local artists, designers and makers from Australia’s leading authentic First Nations marketplace — the Blak Markets — will join them in the Overseas Passenger Terminal.
Artists will travel to the city as part of First Hand Solutions’ Heart in Art program, which provides economic and professional development opportunities to Indigenous artists working in remote communities. This includes a three-day professional development program for artists to connect them with urban-based arts and culture institutions and creative arts workshops.
Wagana Dance at National Indigenous Art Fair. Photo: Courtesy Destination NSW
Pammy Kemarre of Artists of Ampilatwatja.
“This year’s National Indigenous Art Fair promises to be another eye-opener, providing visitors with a rare opportunity to meet Indigenous artists from some of the most remote parts of Australia, all in one place.”
NIAF stalls. Photo: Courtesy Destination NSW
Ngaren Ngaren Culture Awareness – Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony. Photo: Courtesy Destination NSW
‘The options are always creative and broad to meet the artists' various needs, but the program is also about providing skills in new mediums to allow them to tell their stories in different ways — this helps them find other audiences for their work,’ comments Peter. ‘They also network and forge connections in Sydney and can continue those relationships when they go home.’
Aligning with the 2023 National NAIDOC Week theme, For Our Elders, the event will also feature a program of live music, dance performances, and a panel discussion that will invite art fair goers to hear from Elders across the nation on the lessons they would like to impart and the issues that impact them. There will also be an Indigenous bush foods area where visitors can explore the wisdom behind native Australian plants and edibles, as well as a weaving workshop with master weaver Regina Pilawuk Wilson from Durrmu Arts in Peppimenarti, Northern Territory.
‘It’s a fantastic opportunity for Sydneysiders to visit a gathering of Indigenous creatives all in one place,’ says Peter.
‘We also ensure the art fair is an ethical marketplace where you can buy artworks directly from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from remote community-owned art centres in the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia,’ he adds.
The National Indigenous Art Fair will be held at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks, from 10.00am to 5.00pm on Saturday, 1 July and Sunday, 2 July 2023. Entry is by gold coin donation to support the remote artists attending the event.