National Indigenous Art Fair 2024
An immersive weekend of Indigenous art, design, food, performances, and culture
Venue: Overseas Passenger Terminal
Address: 130 Argyle St, The Rocks, Gadigal Land, NSW
Date: Saturday 29 June – Sunday 30 June 2024
Time: 10am – 5pm Saturday, 10am - 4pm Sunday
Ticket: $2.50 (children under 5 years old are free)
Web: www.niaf.com.au/
: http://nationalindigenousartfair/
: https://fb.me/e/3SZ6uVWFE
Address: 130 Argyle St, The Rocks, Gadigal Land, NSW
Date: Saturday 29 June – Sunday 30 June 2024
Time: 10am – 5pm Saturday, 10am - 4pm Sunday
Ticket: $2.50 (children under 5 years old are free)
Web: www.niaf.com.au/
: http://nationalindigenousartfair/
: https://fb.me/e/3SZ6uVWFE
Image Copyright / CDN: Warlukurlangu Artists
The National Indigenous Art Fair returns to Sydney on 29th to 30th June – an ethical, marketplace featuring works from more than 50 stallholders which runs alongside a spirited program of live experiences to celebrate the best of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and culture.
For two days, First Nations artists from remote Indigenous-owned art centres from Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and regional NSW will come together on Gadigal Land to showcase a beautiful range of artwork, textiles, handmade jewellery, ceramics and artefacts. Entry is a donation of $2.50 to support remote artists attending the event.
Whether you’re a foodie who loves watching live cooking demonstrations, or you’ve always wanted to join a communal weaving circle, the 2024 festival line-up has something for everyone to enjoy.
Opening the Art Fair on Saturday, Garuwa Cultural Immersion will welcome guests with a Smoking Ceremony and traditional dance, and on Sunday, for the first time the program will feature an interstate dance group, Mimih Dancers, based in the Northern Territory. Live music performances include one of Australia 's best known and most loved Indigenous music acts; Stiff Gins, Nardi Simpson and Kaleena Briggs, and Microwave Jenny.
Guests will have the opportunity to participate in free activities for the children including Torres Strait Island dance and song workshops, and sand painting workshops run by Walangari Karntawarra. The event will also feature a communal weaving circle with remote and local weavers where visitors are invited to join in and contribute to the weaving project.
Paid workshops include an Ochre painting workshop where you can learn traditional painting techniques and history with Kunwinjku artists from Injalak Arts Centre from West Arnhem Land, a children’s workshop with Indigenous artist and storyteller Amanda Reynolds to craft your very own wearable possum armband, as well as a weaving workshop with Regina Wilson, master fiber weaver from Durrmu Arts in Peppimenarti, using merrepen (sandpalm) which are hand harvested and traditionally dyed.
This year, NIAF will feature a new installation, ‘The Living Room’- a stunning new show room dedicated to exhibiting First Nations’ designed furniture, textiles, fabrics and homewares which are available to purchase. Curated by Indigenous Australian actress Miah Madden, this special space celebrates the extension of Indigenous art from the gallery wall to the walls of our living room and wearable artwork of fashion.
Following a successful 2023 Fair, which attracted more than 22,000 visitors, First Hand Solutions CEO, Peter Cooley said, “The National Indigenous Art Fair is an ethical marketplace, offering a unique opportunity for remote community-owned art centres, that are often economically excluded, to showcase, celebrate and sell their art in Sydney. 100 percent of the profit goes back to the art centres and artists."
"Our country has the richest and oldest living culture in the world; however many Australians haven’t had the opportunity to connect with and learn about Indigenous people and culture, further challenged by the geographic divide between our remote communities and cities on the East Coast. NIAF breaks down these barriers, celebrating Indigenous art, building pride in culture and amplifying the voice of remote communities to the rest of Australia”.
NIAF is presented by Sydney-based First Hand Solutions Aboriginal Corporation in proud partnership with the Port Authority of NSW, Destination NSW, University of Technology Sydney, Place Management NSW, Macquarie Group Foundation, Gilbert + Tobin, Meers Foundation, the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program, Artwatch, Australian Design Centre and Mercure Sydney.
For two days, First Nations artists from remote Indigenous-owned art centres from Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and regional NSW will come together on Gadigal Land to showcase a beautiful range of artwork, textiles, handmade jewellery, ceramics and artefacts. Entry is a donation of $2.50 to support remote artists attending the event.
Whether you’re a foodie who loves watching live cooking demonstrations, or you’ve always wanted to join a communal weaving circle, the 2024 festival line-up has something for everyone to enjoy.
Opening the Art Fair on Saturday, Garuwa Cultural Immersion will welcome guests with a Smoking Ceremony and traditional dance, and on Sunday, for the first time the program will feature an interstate dance group, Mimih Dancers, based in the Northern Territory. Live music performances include one of Australia 's best known and most loved Indigenous music acts; Stiff Gins, Nardi Simpson and Kaleena Briggs, and Microwave Jenny.
Guests will have the opportunity to participate in free activities for the children including Torres Strait Island dance and song workshops, and sand painting workshops run by Walangari Karntawarra. The event will also feature a communal weaving circle with remote and local weavers where visitors are invited to join in and contribute to the weaving project.
Paid workshops include an Ochre painting workshop where you can learn traditional painting techniques and history with Kunwinjku artists from Injalak Arts Centre from West Arnhem Land, a children’s workshop with Indigenous artist and storyteller Amanda Reynolds to craft your very own wearable possum armband, as well as a weaving workshop with Regina Wilson, master fiber weaver from Durrmu Arts in Peppimenarti, using merrepen (sandpalm) which are hand harvested and traditionally dyed.
This year, NIAF will feature a new installation, ‘The Living Room’- a stunning new show room dedicated to exhibiting First Nations’ designed furniture, textiles, fabrics and homewares which are available to purchase. Curated by Indigenous Australian actress Miah Madden, this special space celebrates the extension of Indigenous art from the gallery wall to the walls of our living room and wearable artwork of fashion.
Following a successful 2023 Fair, which attracted more than 22,000 visitors, First Hand Solutions CEO, Peter Cooley said, “The National Indigenous Art Fair is an ethical marketplace, offering a unique opportunity for remote community-owned art centres, that are often economically excluded, to showcase, celebrate and sell their art in Sydney. 100 percent of the profit goes back to the art centres and artists."
"Our country has the richest and oldest living culture in the world; however many Australians haven’t had the opportunity to connect with and learn about Indigenous people and culture, further challenged by the geographic divide between our remote communities and cities on the East Coast. NIAF breaks down these barriers, celebrating Indigenous art, building pride in culture and amplifying the voice of remote communities to the rest of Australia”.
NIAF is presented by Sydney-based First Hand Solutions Aboriginal Corporation in proud partnership with the Port Authority of NSW, Destination NSW, University of Technology Sydney, Place Management NSW, Macquarie Group Foundation, Gilbert + Tobin, Meers Foundation, the Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support program, Artwatch, Australian Design Centre and Mercure Sydney.