National Indigenous Art Fair Returns to Sydney
Marking its fifth year, National Indigenous Art Fair (NIAF)—a two-day ethical art market and festival where Indigenous artists from around Australia come together, will be taking place on Gadigal Land at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks, in Sydney, on the 29th and 30th of June 2024.
Words: Hande Renshaw I Photography: Courtesy of Destination NSW
Smoking Ceremony. Photo: Courtesy Destination NSW
Pirrnpirrnga—Desert Bore by Ann lane nee Dixon. Photo: Courtesy Destination NSW
‘We’ve got some exciting workshops you can be part of this year including a workshop with arts, dance and stories of the Torres Strait Islander communities as well as more intense weaving and printing workshops with artists from Numbulwar Numburindi Arts and Injalak. We’re looking forward to offering visitors a deeper dive into learning these skills as the opportunity to work with these remote artists in Sydney is so rare,’ says Peter Cooley, First Hand Solutions CEO. Pictured: Basket weaving with May Grace Johnson. Photo: Courtesy Destination NSW
Numbulwar Numburindi Arts, Yulki Nunggumajbarr. Photo: Courtesy Destination NSW
‘I’m personally very proud that a small Aboriginal Corporation based in La Perouse can create an event that brings Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists together and opens up opportunities that we take for granted being located in one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, which also acts as a gateway to so many international visitors seeking to interact with First Nations people,’ says Peter Cooley. Photo: Courtesy Destination NSW
“The National Indigenous Art Fair is an opportunity to meet the artist and hear the stories of this art directly from the maker with the knowledge that whatever the visitor spends will go directly back to these artists and their communities.”
National Indigenous Art Fair (NIAF) stalls. Photo: Courtesy Destination NSW
Ampilatwatja landscape. Photo: Courtesy Destination NSW
Back for its fifth year, the National Indigenous Art Fair (NIAF) is set to once again take place on Gadigal Land at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in the Rocks across a weekend at the end of June. The event follows the incredibly successful turnout for last year, which attracted 22,000 visitors over two days!
The National Indigenous Art Fair (NIAF) is an ethical marketplace, offering a unique opportunity for remote community-owned art centres, that are often economically excluded, to showcase, celebrate and sell their art in Sydney. 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 embracing the distinct style of their region.
‘We know NIAF bridges the gap by connecting remote art centres to the biggest marketplace in Australia and our research has shown this creates resilient, culturally strong and economically included Indigenous communities and on the flip side it creates greater understanding, appreciation and respect for First Nations people and culture for the people visiting the event,’ says First Hand Solutions CEO, Peter Cooley.
Artists included in this year’s fair will travel to Sydney to participate in First Hand Solutions Heart in Art program, which provides economic and professional development opportunities, and exchange between urban and remote First Nations communities.
‘Our country has the richest and oldest living culture in the world, however many Australians haven’t had the opportunity to connect with and learn about Indigenous people and culture, further challenged by the geographic divide between our remote communities and cities on the East Coast. NIAF breaks down these barriers, celebrating Indigenous art, building pride in culture and amplifying the voice of remote communities to the rest of Australia,’ says Peter.
The weekend will include exciting workshops that you can be apart of, including a workshop with arts, dance and stories of the Torres Strait Islander communities as well as more intense weaving and painting workshops with artists from Numbulwar Numburindi Arts and Injalak. ‘We’re looking forward to offering visitors a deeper dive into learning these skills as the opportunity to work with these remote artists in Sydney is so rare,’ shares Peter.
There'll also be a new installation, The Living Room, a stunning new show room dedicated to exhibiting First Nations’ designed furniture, textiles, fabrics and homewares, which will available to purchase. Curated by Indigenous Australian actress, Miah Madden, this special space celebrates the extension of Indigenous art from the gallery wall to the walls of our living room and wearable artwork of fashion. ‘We believe First Nations design is an area of such untapped potential, not to mention beauty,’ adds Peter.
This year will mark the first time that the event won’t be running at the beginning of NAIDOC week, in the hope that artists and communities can take advantage of work opportunities in very busy periods, such as NAIDOC and Reconciliation week, ‘However we fully support this years NAIDOC theme of 'Keep the fire burning! Blak, loud and proud', which encapsulates the unapologetic celebration of Indigenous identity, empowering us to stand tall in our heritage and assert our place in the modern world,’ Peter says.
There will also be a weaving circle that pulls on the theme of NAIDOC, but how this plays out will remain a secret that only unfolds for those who attend this year’s event. ‘It's good to have a bit of mystery to encourage people to visit, though its location on Sydney Harbour with the Opera House as a back-drop doesn't make visiting that hard at all!’ he adds
National Indigenous Art Fair (NIAF) will be held at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, The Rocks, on Saturday June 29 and Sunday June 30, 2024. Entry is a donation of $2.50 to support the remote artists attending the event. Children under 5 years old can attend for free.