Cairns Indigenous Art Fair

08/06/2026

CIAF 2026 MASTERCLASS SERIES
Adornment & Connection: Making a Shell Necklace with Vicki Newie

Join Zagareb artist Vicki Newie for a hands-on jewellery-making workshop inspired by the natural beauty of shell and adornment traditions.

Suitable for all experience levels, this interactive masterclass will guide participants through the process of designing and creating their own shell necklace to take home. Along the way, Vicki will share insights into her creative practice, materials and the stories that inspire her work presented in the Artisans Showcase.

Whether you're trying jewellery-making for the first time or looking to develop your skills, this workshop offers a welcoming space to learn, create and connect.

See the carousel for workshop details, artist bio and ticket information. Limited spots available to enable one-on-one learning.

10:30am–1:00pm Sunday 12 July 2026
Tanks Arts Centre (BVGC) | Ticketed

CIAF 2026 Masterclass Series
Tickets on sale now via Ticketlink https://www.ticketlink.com.au/ticketlinkEvents/ciaf/ciaf-2026-masterclass-adornment-and-connection

07/06/2026

Imbala – The Dance of the Butterfly takes flight at CIAF 2026

Presented by Kawanji Dance Group, 'The Dance of the Butterfly' aligns with CIAF’s theme of 'Reclamation & Regeneration' by reclaiming Gu Gu Yalanji cultural knowledge through Elders’ stories of the Imbala and the Cape York shake‑a‑leg dance, while regenerating this knowledge into a living, contemporary performance that reconnects movement, painted design, habitat research and Country to ensure cultural continuity across generations.

Experience the energy, artistry and cultural expression of one of Queensland's most exciting First Nations dance groups as part of CIAF 2026.

CIAF 2026
Saturday 11 July | 2pm | Tank 5
Tanks Arts Centre, Gimuy/Cairns, Tropical North Queensland
Tickets on sale now at ciaf.com.au

06/06/2026

MIC CHECK. DIZZY DOOLAN IS IN THE HOUSE.

First Nations hip-hop artist Dizzy Doolan () will take centre stage as Master of Ceremonies for our biggest night of the year.

With connections to the Takalak, Agwamin, Gureng Gureng and Wakka Wakka peoples, and raised here in Gimuy/Cairns, Dizzy brings energy, humour, heart and authenticity to everything she does.

From hip-hop stages to cultural events, she has built a reputation for captivating audiences and championing First Nations stories through music, performance and powerful storytelling.

We're buzzing to welcome Dizzy to help launch CIAF 2026 and set the tone for an unforgettable weekend of art, culture, fashion, music and celebration.

CIAF 2026 OPENING NIGHT | Tanks Arts Centre
Thursday 9 July 2026 | Gimuy/Cairns, Tropical North Queensland
⚠️ Low ticket warning. Secure your tickets now at ciaf.com.au.

06/06/2026

06/06/2026

The countdown is on and our designers-in-residence are busy cutting, sewing and weaving their way to the final showcase - be sure to secure your tickets to the fashion performance and opening night to check out what these two amazing designers have been working towards.

04/06/2026

LAST DAY TO REGISTER + WIN THE FINAL SPOT IN THE CIAF 2026 ON COUNTRY VIP PROGRAM

The CIAF 2026 On Country VIP Program is almost at capacity, but we're holding one final place for one lucky entrant.

Hosted by acclaimed artist Tony Albert, the On Country VIP Program offers a unique opportunity to experience CIAF beyond the exhibition floor through curated events, artist introductions, cultural experiences and behind-the-scenes access.

To enter:
• Like this post
• Tell us in the comments why you'd like to join the CIAF 2026 On Country VIP Program
• Share this reel to your story for an additional entry

Entries close TONIGHT.

One successful entrant will be selected and notified via email/direct message.
Terms and conditions apply.

Learn more about the On Country VIP Program and CIAF 2026 at ciaf.com.au/ciaf-2026-country-vip-program-tony-albert

03/06/2026

MABO DAY

Today we acknowledge Eddie Koiki Mabo and the Meriam people of Mer/Murray Island in Zenadth Kes/Torres Strait, whose fight for land rights reshaped this Country.

The landmark 1992 High Court decision overturned the legal fiction of terra nullius and resulted in the first legal recognition of Native Title in Australia.

For CIAF 2026, 'Reclamation & Regeneration' speaks directly to this legacy: the ongoing reclaiming of land, language, law, and cultural authority, and the regeneration of cultural practice through artists, art centres, and communities.

As we reflect on Mabo Day, we honour those who fought for recognition, and the generations who continue to carry culture forward through art, truth-telling and connection to Country.

Join us at CIAF 2026 from 9–12 July in Gimuy/Cairns as we celebrate the strength, resilience and creative leadership of First Nations artists from across Queensland. Tickets on sale now at ciaf.com.au.

Images: Audiences amongst Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts' booth at CIAF 2017 featuring works by Gail Mabo. Photograph: Kerry Trapnell.

02/06/2026

From Place Vendôme in Paris to India Art Fair and now returning home to Gimuy/Cairns.

Dr Grace Lillian Lee's 'The Winds of Guardians' lands at CIAF 2026 following an extraordinary international journey that has seen the work presented during Paris Couture Week, exhibited at Zimmermann Paris during Paris Art Fair, and recognised among the leading exhibiting artists at India Art Fair.

A proud descendant of the Miriam Mer people of Zenadth Kes/Torres Strait, Lee is internationally recognised for her work across sculpture, adornment, performance and moving image. Grounded in the Torres Strait Islander technique of grasshopper weaving taught by mentor Dr Uncle Ken Thaiday, her practice explores Indigenous futurism, sovereignty, protection and cultural continuity through large-scale sculptural forms.

Presented as an immersive installation within the CIAF Art Fair Showcase, 'The Winds of Guardians' brings together woven body sculptures, adornment and moving image to create a contemplative environment exploring ancestral memory, movement and contemporary cultural identity.

After its international presentations, CIAF marks a significant homecoming for the work before it continues to Gab Titui later this year, reconnecting the installation to community and Country.

Experience 'The Winds of Guardians' up close in Art Fair Showcase 1 (Tank 4), where audiences can encounter the scale, detail and material complexity of these remarkable works firsthand.

Image: Dr Grace Lillian Lee, 'The Guardians', Paris, 2025. Photograph by Wendell Teodoro.

01/06/2026

CIAF 2026 ART FAIR SHOWCASE 1 — TANK 4

Tank 4 brings together a dynamic mix of independent artists, collectives, art centres and established exhibitors working across painting, sculpture, printmaking, installation and contemporary cultural practice.

Featured in this carousel are artists and collectives including YAKAL’s cultural artefacts and firesticks, Nathanel Edwards' (Jigirr Jigirr) striking photographic works, alongside Paula Savage with Moa Arts’ iconic woven masterpieces - practices grounded in cultural knowledge, experimentation and storytelling shaped by place, community and lived experience.

Across the exhibition, artists navigate the space between continuity and change, drawing on inherited practices while pushing contemporary expression into new territory. The result is a powerful reflection of the diversity and strength of First Nations art practice across Queensland and Zenadth Kes.

Presented within the curatorial framework of 'Reclamation & Regeneration', Tank 4 becomes a space for dialogue, exchange and self-determined creative futures. Speak with artists, join a Guided Tour or Exhibitor Talk, or quietly sit with the works and allow them to draw you in.

View the full list of CIAF ‘26 exhibitors, get tickets for Opening Night (selling fast!) or register for the CIAF On Country VIP or Collectors Program before THIS FRIDAY at ciaf.com.au.

Images: 1. Bernard Singleton (Yakal.), 2025. Photograph: Michael Marzick. 2. Nathanel Edwards (Jigirr Jigirr), 'Toy Soldiers - We all fall down', 2025, digital photographs. Courtesy of the artist. 3. Paula Savage, 'Anchor', 2025, hand-dyed raffia, cotton. Photograph: James Muller courtesy of Moa Arts.