Cairns Indigenous Art Fair
The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair returns to the Tanks Arts Centre, Gimuy/Cairns, with the powerful curatorial theme Reclamation & Regeneration, highlighting the resilience and vibrancy of Queensland’s First Nations cultures. The Fair frames reclamation as both a cultural and political act that restores stories, knowledge and practices disrupted by colonial histories, while affirming sovereignty and continuity. Regeneration speaks to renewal: the ways contemporary artists transform inherited traditions into future-facing practices. Under the direction of Artistic Director Teho Ropeyarn, CIAF 2026 frames art as a site of truth-telling and creative resurgence as well as a marketplace or exhibition. The 2026 fair is a platform for cultural continuity, intergenerational dialogue and the ongoing reimagining of First Nations identity and artistic practice. Tickets are now on sale for the VIP On Country program, led by Tony Albert, which offers immersive access to remote communities, fostering cultural exchange, deeper understanding and direct engagement with artists. CIAF runs July 9 to 12.
Image credit: Projection Art by Cathy Snow on Tank 5, Tanks Arts Centre. CIAF 2025 Opening Night
Photo: Blueclick Photography
