Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair returns this August

From 3 to 8 August 2021, the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation will present the 15^th Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF), alongside Indigenous fashion projects and events. With art sales from DAAF generating more than $14 million over the past six years, and 67 art centres set to participate in the 2021 iteration, the fair continues to grow and reach new audiences nationally and internationally.

For those who cannot attend the physical fair this year, DAAF will present an online fair in late 2021, following the success of the online fair from 2020 which generated more than $2.6 million in sales. “In 2020 we learnt that an immersive online presence is crucial to unlocking new audiences globally,” says DAAF Executive Director Claire Summers. “Whilst this was a huge success, we were reminded that connection with people and creating a meeting place, is at the heart of what we do. We have to find a balance in this new hybrid life we find ourselves operating in.”

The jam-packed schedule of events from 3 to 8 August includes the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) (3 August), the Country to Culture (4 August) showcase of First Nations fashion designers as a runway show, the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (6-8 August) and the DAAF Public Program (6-8 August) of cultural events, masterclasses and tours.

Head over to the DAAF website to get the full rundown of the fair.

Art centres that will be attending DAAF include:

Northern Territory

Anindilyakwa Arts, Arlpwe Art & Culture Centre, Artists of Ampilatwatja, Bábbarra Women’s Centre, Barkly Regional Arts, Bima Wear, Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists, Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre, Bula’bula Arts, Djilpin Arts, Durrmu Arts, Elcho Island Arts, Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts, Hermannsburg Potters, Ikuntji Artists Aboriginal Corporation, Iltja Ntjarra, Injalak Arts & Crafts Aboriginal Corporation, Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association, Karungkarni Art and Culture, Keringke Arts, Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation, Maningrida Arts & Culture, Marrawuddi Arts & Culture, Maruku Arts, Merrepen Arts, Culture and Language Art Centre, Milingimbi Art and Culture, Mimi Aboriginal Art & Craft, Munupi Arts And Crafts Association, Ngaruwanajirri Incorporated, Ngukurr Arts, Numbulwar Numburindi Arts, Papunya Tjupi, Tangentyere Artists & Yarrenyty Arltere Artists, Thamarrurrr Men’s Shed, Tiwi Designs Aboriginal Corporation, Tjanpi Desert Weavers, Tjarlirli Art Indigenous Corporation, Walkatjara Art Uluru, Warakurna Artists, Waralungku Arts, Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation, Warnayaka Art & Cultural Aboriginal Corporation

Queensland

Badu Art Centre, Erub Arts, Gab Titui Cultural Centre, Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre, Lockhart River Arts Centre, Mirndiyan Gununa – MIART Mornington Island Art, Moa Arts, Pormpuraaw Arts & Cultural Centre Inc, UMI Arts Limited, Wik and Kugu Arts

South Australia

APY Art Centre Collective, Arts Ceduna, Ninuku Arts

Tasmania

Walantanalinany Palingina

Victoria

Baluk Arts

Western Australia

Kira Kiro Artists, Mangkaja Arts Resource Agency, Mowanjum Aboriginal Art and Culture Centre, Nagula Jarndu, Spinifex Hill Studio, Waringarri Aboriginal Arts, Warmun Art Centre, Yamaji Art, Yinjaa-Barni Art

Image: Kira Kiro Arts booth at the 2018 Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair. Photo by Dylan Buckee. Courtesy: the artists and DAAF, Darwin.