Commercial Galleries at CIAF 2016
Two of the nation’s dynamic commercial galleries that represent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, will exhibit and sell art at the 2016 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair.
Michael Reid, gallerist in Berlin and Sydney, will feature the Australian 2016 release of Christian Thompson’s new works, Museum of Others. In this collection, the artist acts as an interpreter, exploring how historical collections can become active contemporary forces in the production of new cultural expression. Thompson’s video Refuge is part of the CIAF Blak Release film festival in the Chill Tent, just off Shed 3.
Martin Browne Contemporary returns to CIAF 2016, after a two year break, with a presentation of works by Mavis Ngallametta.
Mavis Ngallametta, a Kugu-Muminh woman from Aurukun, depicts the landscape of her home region on the western Cape York. She is widely celebrated for her large-scale paintings emulating the life and energy of the river systems, wetlands and coastlines of her Country.
Local partnership will result in local opportunities for Indigenous youth
CIAF announced this week an exciting new partnership with LendLease and Cairns Central Shopping Centre that promotes diversity, community engagement and cultural sharing, using fashion as a platform.
The partnership was created to establish the relevance and importance of CIAF in the broader community, while giving aspiring Indigenous models a chance to participate in Cairns Central’s The Face of Cairns and this year’s highly anticipated Jana Jaral (Respect in local Yidinji language), the 2016 CIAF fashion performance.
According to Grace Lillian Lee, the curator of Jana Jaral, this partnership focuses the spotlight on Queensland’s Indigenous talent in local communities.
“The Cairns Central’s partnership will allow us to bring CIAF to a wide demographic in the community,” Ms Gillen, CIAF’s General Manager, said. “This year the Face of Cairns Central, held 5 July, will be promoted as an event that aims to find the most photogenic and confident talent while encouraging diversity and influencing the global cultural acceptance of what defines beauty.”
CIAF’s Artistic Director, Janina Harding said that the new partnership with LendLease is timely, after successful shows in CIAF 2015 and Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival in March, the concept of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culturally based fashion experience, really is the “New Blak”.
In 2016, CIAF will deliver two performances of Jana Jaral on Fri 15 July, the first at 6:00pm and the second performance at 8:30pm.
Tickets are on sale now. Book and buy at ciaf.localtickets.com.au
Main Photograph: Mavis Ngallametta, Bush Fire At Top Yalgamungken, 2015. Photograph courtesy of Martin Browne Contemporary.
Fashion Photograph: Lovegreen Photography
Right Photograph: Lovegreen Photography
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