Returning to its spiritual home at the Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) ’25 was an overwhelming success, drawing thousands of locals and visitors to the lush surrounds of Cairns Botanic Gardens across four vibrant days of art, culture, and connection.
With a dynamic and multi-dimensional program culminating on Sunday 13 July in a packed Closing Ceremony, CIAF’s 16th edition was marked by record visitation, community participation, and a final flurry of art sales across both the Art Fair Showcase and Artisan Showcase.
“CIAF has always been a platform for truth-telling and celebration,” said Artistic Director Teho Ropeyarn. “This year’s theme, Pay Attention!, invited us to go deeper—and the response from the public, artists, and community has been phenomenal.”
Over the weekend, the Art Fair Showcase featuring 30 exhibitors and the Artisan Showcase with 48 stallholders reported strong sales, particularly in the final hours of the event, as audiences made the most of the opportunity to acquire unique, ethically sourced pieces from Queensland’s most exciting First Nations creators.
Family-friendly activations, from the CIAF Kids space to the new Mark Makers keynote Talks Program, roving exhibitor talks, tours, Masterclasses and the powerful Look & Listen Fashion Performances, kept the energy high across all precincts – as did the culturally imbued dance and music line up on the Promenade and at Opening Night, after dark and closing ceremonies.
The natural surroundings and World War II heritage of the Tanks Arts Centre venue offered a scenic and accessible canvas for creativity, helping to reinvigorate CIAF’s original artistic spirit.
CIAF’s Art Awards, now in their ninth year, were a focal point for the weekend, with $60,000 in prize money awarded to standout artists from across the state.
The Premier’s Award for Excellence ($25,000) was awarded to Bernard Singleton (Yakal Creatives) for his robust wood carving Offering (2025). The work, rooted in Djabugay/Yirrgay knowledge, was praised by judges for its “technical mastery, cultural grounding, and commanding presence.”
The People’s Choice Award, announced at Sunday’s closing ceremony, was awarded to Dylan Sarra for his work Native Police Spears – a popular favourite among audiences for its thought-provoking, contemporary edge, critically-engaged meaning and connection to cultural identity.
2025 CIAF Art Award Winners:
- Premier’s Award for Excellence – Bernard Singleton (Yakal Creatives), Offering
- Art Centre Award – Hopevale Arts & Culture Centre
- Innovation Award – Alick Tipoti, Mawaw Danaka
- 3D Design, Sculpture and Installation Award – Kyra Mancktelow
- Emerging Art Award (Acquisitive) – Roy Gray (Bunda Art), in collaboration with Jo Ann Beikoff, Milba
- People’s Choice Award – Dylan Sarra, Native Police Spears
The CIAF Art Awards are open to all exhibiting artists participating in CIAF’s curated Art Fair Showcase. All works are judged against the thematic and cultural criteria set by CIAF’s annual theme, with an emphasis on artistic integrity, innovation, and community relevance.
The Judging Panel included: Sebastian Goldspink – Burramattagal man; independent curator and 2022 Adelaide Biennial curator, Rebecca Ray – Meriam woman; Curator, First Nations Art, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, and Jack Wilkie-Jans – Waanyi, Teppathiggi and Tjungundji man; artist and Aboriginal affairs advocate.
For more information about the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF), visit: www.ciaf.com.au for details.
Image: Premier’s Award for Excellence winner Bernard Singleton (Yakal Creatives) with CIAF 2025 Art Award Judges Sebastian Goldspink, Jack Wilkie-Jans & Rebecca Ray with Offering, 2025 – photo by Blueclick Photography