Cairns Indigenous Art Fair 2020
View CIAF 2020 online at https://2020.ciaf.com.au/
Coral Expeditions has proudly sponsored the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair for the last 3 years and we are committed to continue in 2020. The festival is one of the highlights of the North Queensland events calendar and is a true "coming together" of the communities and cultures of the north.
Underpinned by a decade-long tradition, CIAF has shown its true resilience and agility during pandemic restrictions to present The Cultural Evolution – a multi-faceted digital program comprising a series of live stream presentations, music and fashion performances, webinars, workshops, community spotlights, virtual gallery exhibitions, art awards and conversations.
CIAF 2020, Friday 14 – Sunday 23 August 2020
From Friday 14 August to Sunday 23 August, CIAF 2020 Queensland's quintessential Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander celebration of art and culture will be open and 'live' for all the world to enjoy.
Shining a spotlight on Queensland's Indigenous art and culture, CIAF is sending an open invitation to the world to join in and enjoy this year's 10-day program of exhibitions, events, activities, workshops, conversations and more.
Over the past six months the team at CIAF have taken the program from physical to digital – overcoming the obstacles of distance, pandemic restrictions and technology – to produce and present some 40 individual events and activities that on their own and in combination — provide a special insight into Queensland's Aboriginal and Torres Strait peoples, their two distinct cultures, arts, communities and Country.
Our three year partnership with CIAF maintains momentum in 2020, helping to raise awareness of the festival. We will be giving online visitors and event participants the opportunity to win a 10-Night Coastal Cultures of the Torres Strait and Cape York expedition for two in 2021.
Coral Expeditions' Jeff Gillies said the company is proud to continue its growing involvement with CIAF in 2020 and beyond as a major partner of the CIAF 'Collectors and Curators' program.
"We have been delivering world class expedition experiences in the North Queensland region for over three decades and we pride ourselves on our relationships with remote Indigenous communities through visitation and by promoting their people, culture and art.
"We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with CIAF each year and to re-imagine the 2020 partnership in light of the disruptions and challenges we all face at the moment.
"As our company grows, we value how this great event helps inspire us and our guests with more cultural content and themed voyages, to visit more communities in our travels and to showcase the art and culture of the region on our vessels and to our guests. We hope that visitors to CIAF online are just as inspired," Mr Gillies said.
Highlights of this year's program are many and various – starting with the opening ceremony from 6pm on Friday 14 August. Hosted by Elaine Crombie, there will be musical performances from local musicians Merindi Schrieber, harpist Natalia Mann and Zennith along with the launch of three virtual exhibitions; CIAF's climate change themed Art Fair and Undercurrents – Cook 2020, North Site's retrospective by the late Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) print maker, Pal'n aka Billy Missi Billy Missi'n Wakain Thamai and UMI Arts' Freshwater Saltwater.
CIAF's 2020 fashion performance is highly anticipated, showcasing seven new collections from nature's catwalk, Far North Queensland's most picturesque water ways and beaches. Water is Sacred headlines the program on Friday 21 August while the following night is the annual CIAF Art Awards hosted by Elaine Crombie on Saturday 22 August. Finally, on Sunday 23 August, CIAF 2020 will celebrate the end of what has been a watershed year with a finale concert featuring an eclectic showcase of artists from jazz songstress Wilma Reading, to hip hop artists Mau Power and Naomi Wenitong.
Other notable activities include a climate change symposium on Tuesday 18 August and CIAF Conversations about Queensland's Indigenous Tourism on Monday 17 August, Cook on 19 August and Indigenous Fashion on 21 August. There is a weaving workshop on Saturday 15 August, spear making on Thursday 20 August, Cultural Heights live choir performance on Saturday 22 August and a storytime session for kids on Sunday 23 August.
To find out more visit https://ciaf.com.au/