Bernard Singleton at Bulmba-Barra in 2018. Photo credit: Cairns Indigenous Art Fair
When Janina Harding, the Artistic Director of Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CAIF) was thinking of a theme for the Fair’s ten-year anniversary, it was important that the wording encouraged Indigenous artists to reflect on the rich cultural narratives embodied in their work.
‘My Yarn Now is a collection of stories told through personal reflection to reveal the experiences of First Peoples’ from Far North Queensland,’ Harding said of the theme, which takes its cue from a curated art exhibition at this year’s Fair.
‘I really wanted the artists to focus on themselves and tell their own stories – stories from the heart and stories from their experiences in life.’ she told ArtsHub.
Language as a tool for connection
This year’s blockbuster program spans visual and performing arts, craft and workshop activities, special events, music, dance and fashion while continuing to realise its goal of providing an inclusive, ethical marketplace for aspiring and established art collectors, curators and the general public.
While the theme acknowledges the importance of storytelling, it also connects with 2019 being the International Year of Indigenous Languages.
‘The My Yarn Now theme not only encourages original languages to be honoured and expressed, but also deliberates 60,000 plus years of storytelling (and still not short of a yarn),’ Harding said.
Perhaps one of the most anticipated events of the Fair’s program is Cultural Heights – a new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performance featuring traditional singing and language, including multiple dialects.
Phillemon Mosby, director of the Kulkalgal choir, will manage 60 singers involved in Cultural Heights.
He said: ‘This concept of Kulkalgal choir is an opportunity for us to come together collectively as nations of people; to pride ourselves in who we are and where we come from. It should encourage us to confidently and humbly showcase our skills, talents and, most importantly, use music and song to share and promote Kulkalgal history from pre and post contact and modern day.
‘It is an opportunity for us to celebrate and recognise our elders and cultural practitioners who are the remaining custodians who have passive knowledge of Kulkalgaw Ya, which is currently identified as a critically endangered language of the Torres Strait, having no fluent speakers of the language.’
Harding agrees that maintaining the language of Indigenous Peoples’ is imperative, not only to them, but the nation. ‘Our languages should be acknowledged, valued and shared, for they are entrenched in the cultural fabric of this country,’ she said.
‘Some of the communities involved don’t necessarily have traditional songs, which is a direct result of colonisation.’ Harding noted. ‘There is no doubt right across Australia – that due to colonisation and acts of genocide, a lot of traditional songs aren’t sung anymore – they’ve just disappeared. To rectify this, we will be guided by the Elders to write new songs (in language) so their stories are presented in the “old way” but with a whole new repertoire.
At CIAF, maintaining culture is more than just an obligation – it’s also an opportunity for celebration, and an occasion to recognise artistic excellence across culture, art, design and performance.
‘I think commemorating ten years is a big milestone; I think we’ll attract more people than ever,’ Harding said. ‘The highlights will be Cultural Heights and the Fashion Performance Buwal-barra… Messenger, showcasing new and avant-garde collections by Queensland Indigenous designers and artists– people love coming to that.’
Cairns Indigenous Art Fair runs 12-14 July 2019. For more information visit: ciaf.com.au
