Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) and Cairns Airport are seeking creative submissions from Queensland’s Indigenous artists to have their artworks featured prominently within the Airport’s newly redeveloped T2 Domestic Terminal.
CIAF and Cairns Airport developed their already established partnership at CIAF’s 10th-anniversary event in July when they jointly announced a new Public Art Commissioning Project that would commission Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to design a sculptural or 2D art element for permanent display within the Cairns Airport. They are not putting a price on the work at this stage.
Interested artists are invited to tender their creative concepts in the Expression of Interest phase that is open until Friday 14 February 2020.
CIAF’s Artistic Director Janina Harding said this is a wonderful opportunity for either an individual or collective group of artists to have their work showcased within one the city’s most frequented visitor locations.
While this is a great win for artists in terms of profiling their work, it will also contribute to providing visitors with an appreciation of Queensland’s First Peoples culture and creative expression. The design brief to artists is formulated around capturing the essence and beauty of the natural wonder of the Great Barrier Reef, tropical rainforests and rural landscapes through the exploration of form, color and movement.
The commissioned piece will be chosen by a judging panel comprising representatives from CIAF and Cairns Airport. Cairns Airport CEO, Norris Carter said each year CIAF attracts visitors from Australia and the world to fly into Cairns to experience Queensland’s vibrant Indigenous culture.
We recognise the importance of First Peoples arts and culture to this region – that is as rich as it is diverse. With CIAF we are excited to oversee such an exciting Public Art Commissioning Project. Cairns Airport is proud to elevate its support for CIAF to create a new platform for artists while also focussing the limelight on Queensland’s rich cultural heritage, Mr Carter said.
CIAF and Cairns Airport’s Public Art Commissioning Project is a five-step process. Interested artists are required to submit their EOI by Friday 14 February 2020, with the winning submission announced in February-March. The completed artwork will be on show at CIAF 2020 between 10th and 12th July prior to permanent installation at Cairns Airport in September.
