Exclusive: Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Launches 2022 Public Program

top image GWENNETH BLITNER, COURTESY OF NGUKURR ARTS. 

Shining a light on the incredible Indigenous creative talent we have in this country, the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) will return to Larrakia Country this August to showcase, support and encourage the growth of First Nations peoples within the industry.⁠

Now in its sixteenth year, DAAF will run from 5–7 August at the Darwin Convention Centre with a corresponding online program for those outside of the NT. Peppermint, once again, is proud to partner with the event and its vibrant program of cultural performances, artist workshops and demonstrations, Indigenous food experiences and industry talks. 

Alongside the art fair, visitors can immerse themselves in the vibrant public program of traditional dance, workshops and artist talks. The DAAF Foundation will also present the Country to Couture fashion showcase (2 August) and the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (3 August), celebrating First Nations fashion and textile design.

images DJAKANU YUNUPINGU, COURTESY OF BULU-LARRNGAY MULKA CENTRE & NANETTE SHARPE SEWING AT THE YARRENYTY ARLTERE ART CENTRE ON THE YARRENYTY ARLTERE TOWN CAMP ALICE SPRINGS 2021. PHOTO BY SIMON EELES, COURTESY OF YARRENYTY ARLTERE ARTISTS.

“DAAF Foundation has been providing opportunities for Australian First Nations peoples to showcase their incredible creations for 16 years,” Artistic Director Shilo McNamee shared. “Each of the events are special in their own ways – Country to Couture brings emerging and established designers together in an incredible display of fashion on the runway, the NIFA shines a light on designers and creatives across six different award categories and the fair supports over 75 art centres and ensures that 100% of all profits go back to the artists and their communities.”

“Due to the uncertainty of the past two years, we are reminded of how important it is for people to connect and experience art and culture firsthand,” DAAF Foundation Executive Director, Claire Summers, added.

Storytelling is a major part of First Nations culture and we, as Australians, still have so much to learn – connecting with artists and understanding and appreciating their practices and traditions is a fantastic way do this.

“With Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, fashion and design experiencing a meteoric rise these last years – we feel this recognition as just the beginning and we still have a long way to go in terms of representation. Storytelling is a major part of First Nations culture and we, as Australians, still have so much to learn – connecting with artists and understanding and appreciating their practices and traditions is a fantastic way do this.”

Coming together over three days on Larrakia Country, artists are represented from Australia’s most remote desert and coastal regions to rural and urban communities. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, 17 June. Check out the full public program below and for more information, visit daaf.com.au.

image 2019 DARWIN ABORIGINAL ART FAIR, PHOTO BY DYLAN BUCKEE. 

PUBLIC PROGRAM

Industry Talks (Free)

Art workers and conservators will share their knowledge about materials used to create their artworks and how they should be cared for in the future.

WHERE: Darwin Convention Centre
WHEN: 5–7 August, 2.00pm – 3.00pm
ENTRY: Free registration (numbers are limited register early to avoid disappointment)

Friday, 5 August: Paper
Saturday, 6 August: Fibre
Sunday, 7 August: Painting

Artist Masterclasses and Demonstrations (Ticketed)

Patrons can learn from the masters and immerse themselves in an artist masterclass or material demonstration. Be guided and inspired by DAAF’s incredible artists and makers as they share their stories and wealth of knowledge of both ancient and contemporary techniques.

WHERE: Darwin Convention Centre
WHEN: 5–7 August
ENTRY: Ticketed. All masterclasses are $80 and all materials are supplied.

Friday, 5 August

11.00am – 2.00pm: Soft sculpture making with Rhonda Sharpe, Louise Robertson, Rosabella Ryder from Yarrenyty Arltere Artists.

11.00am – 2.00pm: Lino printing on fabric with Kieren Karritpul from Merrepen Arts.

12.00pm – 2.00pm: Using bush brush and ochre to paint on paper with Jay Jurrupula Rostron and Raylene Bonson from Babbarra Women’s Centre.

Saturday, 6 August

11.00am – 2.00pm: Watercolour painting with Selma Coulthard and Marie Abbott from Iltja Ntjarra.

11.00am – 2.00pm: Weaving Mindirr (Dilly Bags) with Yolngu Miyalk from Gurriwilliny (Bulabula Arts), Mary Dhapalany, Evonne Munuygurr and Daphne Banyawarra.

12.00pm – 2.00pm: Painting with Ursula Napangardi Marks from Warnayaka Arts.

Sunday, 7 August

11.00am – 2.00pm: Maningrida Arts & Culture will present a masterclass of the twining technique used throughout Arnhem Land to weave Dilly Bags and Pandanus Mats.

11.00am – 2.00pm: Lino printing with Lucy Yarawanga and granddaughter Lucielle from the Babbarra Women’s Centre.

12.00pm – 2.00pm: Pandanus natural fibre weaving with Christine Nabobbob, Selina Nadjowh, Helen Nawirridj, Merrill Namundja from Injalak Arts.

image ARPAKA DANCERS FROM THURSDAY ISLAND AT 2019 DARWIN ABORIGINAL ART FAIR, PHOTO BY DYLAN BUCKEE.

Cultural Performances

Enjoy daily performances from cultural dance groups across Australia. The dancers will perform in the centre sandpit area of the Darwin Convention Centre’s exhibition halls.

WHEN: 6-7 August
WHERE: Darwin Convention Centre
ENTRY: Free

Friday, 5 August

2.00pm – 2.30pm: Tiwi singer and dancers from Munupi Arts and Culture.

Saturday, 6 August 

11.00am – 11.30am: Peppimenarti Dancers performing songs from two different clan groups from West Daly; Wongga and Lirrga.

Sunday, 7 August

11.00am – 11.30am: Torres Strait Island Dance Team.

image JOY NGINANA LYONS OUT ON COUNTRY WITH HER ARTWORK ‘KUNGKARRANGKALPA’ (SEVEN SISTERS). PHOTO BY ATHENA HOOK, COURTESY OF PAPULANKUTJA ARTISTS ABORIGINAL CORPORATION.