Culture Country
Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) celebrates First Nations art spanning our vast island home, drawing art lovers and collectors from across the globe to Larrakia Country since 2007. This month, the highly anticipated event returns, physically and digitally, with some exciting new updates.
By Tierney White
A TRUE HIGHLIGHT on the national and international arts calendar, DAAF – presented by the DAAF Foundation – is something many an arts enthusiast looks forward to with great gusto. The opportunity to spend time with artists from remote communities from across Australia is a very special experience, and to have thousands of years of stories, craft, culture, and knowledge together in one meeting place is rare to find.
Because the Fair’s such a hit, and to keep on top of numbers, attendees need to register online to attend the physical event in 2024. But if you don’t find yourself on Larrakia Country this year, a silver lining to the pandemic is that it is also offered in an online format.
DAAF Foundation Artistic Director Shilo McNamee, a local Indigenous artist, musician and curator, says there are benefits for all in presenting a hybrid Fair.
“In offering the Fair online as well in its physical format, there’s less of a financial barrier to Art Centres that want to participate … It’s quite expensive to get from one end of the country to Darwin, paying for accommodation, and bringing a whole troopy of artwork and artists.”
It’s also a pricey exercise for would-be attendees should they not be Darwin-based, and you might be surprised just how far the DAAF net is cast.
“The online Fair has really alerted us to the fact that art collectors and buyers are everywhere, internationally, and we’ve learnt that we really need to provide options for that,” McNamee says.
Also recognising the need to present different elements of the Fair, the DAAF Foundation team has introduced designated areas for fashion trade stalls and industry stalls prior to entering the Convention Centre’s main hall – of which they’re occupying every last inch.
“We’ve really sectioned up the whole of the Centre and designated zones for everything, which is the first time that’s happened,” McNamee says.
“We have so much interest and people coming this year, and we really thought it was important to take people on a journey so they can digest what’s on offer and immerse themselves in culture.”
As well as the opportunity to peruse the wonderful and vibrant Art Centre booths, and to chat directly with the artists, comes the opportunity to partake in the Fair’s incredible Public Program with a range of workshops, talks and panels on offer.
“For the second time, this year, we are expanding outside and using the beautiful Frangipani Plaza out the front of the Convention Centre so people can enjoy our children’s programming and workshop program,” McNamee says.
“We also have some drop-in sessions for families, and coffee and food stalls out the front, so it’s a lovely environment to sit and take in the space. It’s a tactile learning space, for families to explore and learn by doing.”
After running a successful pilot program last year, the DAAF Open Studios demonstration and talks program makes a welcome return. Supported by the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund, this gorgeous set of two-hour talks and demonstrations feature a different theme each day of the Fair.
“Basically, it’s a deep dive into the featured artist’s practice and what they do. They’re going to have works on display … and it’s a real look at how the artists work. They’ll bring their own materials and ways of working … so you’ll get to see their finished pieces, works in progress, and see how they start their pieces off,” McNamee says.
“It’s a fairly unique experience, and there are discussions with Indigenous curators and a conservator onsite as well, so audiences can get a feel of the artist’s work and ask any tricky questions about the care of the work.”
Indigenous Fashion Projects’ highly esteemed events, Country to Couture and National Indigenous Fashion Awards, also make a welcome return, showcasing the incredible textiles and designs being created by First Nations designers and artists.
One of the most important takeaways event organisers and Art Centres want attendees to grasp is the importance of buying art ethically.
“It’s important to stress that DAAF Foundation takes absolutely no commission from artwork sold, it goes straight back to community and to the artists and their families, with art sales often the only independent income that goes into community,” McNamee says.
“And people really want to learn about ethical art buying and how to connect with Art Centres authentically. And in terms of ethical buying, you really can’t do much better than buying direct from the artists!”
Whether you attend physically or online, embrace this beautiful celebration of culture and Country, that is sure leave its mark on you.
Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Opening Ceremony
WHEN THU 8 AUG | 5.30PM
COST $75
Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair
WHEN FRI 9 – SUN 11 AUG
COST FREE | REGISTER ONLINE
AT Darwin Convention Centre & Online
INFO daaf.com.au
Thumbnail & inset: Ngaanyatjarra Land, Artists (L-R): Nyungawarra Ward, Dorcas Tinamayi Bennett, Cynthia Burke, Delilah Shepherd, Nancy Nyanyarna Jackson.
Photo: Jason Thomas. Image courtesy Warakurna Artists.
Catwalk Culture
A SELECTION OF Australia’s most revered First Nations artists and fashion designers gather on Larrakia Country for two very special events this month.
Presented by Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation’s Indigenous Fashion Projects, these flagship place Indigenous fashion beautifully under the spotlight in a mainstream context, both in Australia and around the world.
Country to Couture first hit the catwalk in 2016, going from strength to strength since its inception. In fact, it’s so popular, it sold out within just a couple of weeks, but there is a waitlist you can register for online. The 2024 showcase features 20 collections across two vibrant fashion shows.
Show One, Under Fire, responds to ‘Hear. Our. Voice.’, using fashion as a vehicle to advocate for Country and the survival of culture. In Boundless, Show Two, designers respond to ‘Always was, always will be’, celebrating cultural stories, from traditional materials, to streetwear, to couture.
The National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) return to celebrate the innovation, diversity and ethical practices of Australia’s First Nations peoples in fashion and textiles, with a special ceremony under the stars at Deckchair Cinema.
There are seven awards categories in total, including the highly coveted Fashion Designer Award supported by Country Road, plus the introduction of new category, the Cecilia Cubillo Young Achiever Award, supported by Franchesca Cubillo. Over 63 nominations have been shortlisted to 36, so head along or watch the broadcast on NITV (not live) to find out the 2024 NIFA winners.
Country to Couture
WHEN TUE 6 AUG | UNDERFIRE, 5PM | BOUNDLESS, 8PM
AT DARWIN CONVENTION CENTRE
National Indigenous Fashion Awards
WHEN WED 7 AUG | 7PM, DOORS 6PM
AT DECKCHAIR CINEMA
COST $35
INFO ifp.org.au
Meet the Cover Artist!
DOROTHY EDWARDS FROM UMI Arts is a member of the Kokoberrin language group, and her ancestral lands are called Pinnarinch. These lands stretch from Staaten River National Park in the south to Nassau River in the north, including Wyabba Creek and the Dorunda Lodge area. Over the past 11 years, Dorothy's fine art paintings, prints, and jewellery have been exhibited at several prestigious events and galleries.
"After the monsoon season, the lagoons throughout our homelands are abundant with swamp turtle, barramundi, and water lilies (ma-chirrár). It is a breathtaking sight. After some time has passed and the water level has dropped, we are able to go drag netting. This is when we pull a net through the water by hand. We catch barramundi, turtle, and crayfish this way. We share what we catch with our families."
INFO umiarts.com.au
Header & inset: Dorothy Edwards, 'Monsoon Season', 2023, acrylic on wooden board, 30x40cm. Photo by Cape York Art + Lovegreen Photography. Image courtesy of UMI Arts
