Fayanne Jones – Birriliburu Artists – Tjukurba
Darwin Convention Centre (DCC) is set to host Australia’s premier showcase of contemporary Indigenous talent: the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) on Friday 8 August to Sunday 10 August 2014.
Australian Aboriginals are the custodians of the world’s oldest living indigenous culture. The DAAF has chosen the theme ‘Our art makes more than a living. Our Art is Living’ for this year’s event – which reflects the thriving creativity amongst the nation’s Indigenous communities.
A record number of Centres are participating in this year’s fair, with 58 community owned and operated Art Centres representing the works of emerging and established artists. Many of the artists will be present during the fair to speak to art lovers about their personal experiences, vibrant culture and spirituality that inform their works.
“It’s this raw, up-close and personal approach that has made DAAF such a unique event – and a major drawcard for art lovers to visit Darwin – from around Australia and overseas,” says DCC’s General Manager, Janet Hamilton. “This city is certainly cementing its status as destination for the arts and culture.”
Darwin Convention Centre, set on Larrakia land that has been used as a place for gathering since ancient times, is a natural home for the Fair – which it has proudly hosted and supported since 2010. The Centre’s harbour-side location provides a spectacular backdrop for the event with colourful banners of the participating Art Centres providing a festive ambience throughout the waterfront precinct.
“The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair is one of our favourite events on our calendar,” says Hamilton. “Most of the artists reside in remote locations and the Centre is the ideal setting to showcase the diversity of creative expression in Indigenous art under one roof.”
With artworks priced from $5 through to $15,000, DAAF is one of Australia’s most inclusive and accessible art events. Live artistic demonstrations and workshops will run daily at 10am and 2pm, including weaving, painting with ochres and landscape painting. Visitors will also be treated to traditional dance performances by the Dhalwungu Dancers from Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts, and the Waringarri Dancers from Waringarri Aboriginal Arts each day at 12.30pm.
Visitors to DAAF will also be able to enjoy the Darwin Indigenous Art Hop On, Hop Off, bus tour on Friday 8 August and Saturday 9 August. An initiative of the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair and the Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, the tour will include stops at local galleries and exhibits from DAAF 2014 at Darwin Convention Centre to Salon des Rufusé at Stokes Hill Wharf, Elcho Island Arts at Nightcliff and many more.
For more information on Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair at DCC and to book tickets, visit www.darwinaboriginalartfair.com.au.
