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This NAIDOC Week (3rd July to 10th July) is the perfect opportunity to spotlight Australia’s largest Indigenous visual art event - the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF), which is returning in August for its 16th year running.

DAAF has secured a reputation as one of the country’s most significant and internationally recognised arts events, creating a unique opportunity to connect with, and ethically purchase art directly from Art Centres, as well as meeting the artists and learning firsthand about their cultural heritage, stories, history and traditional artistic practices through a range of masterclasses, talks and demonstrations.

Emerging from two years of uncertainty and sudden disruptions associated with the pandemic, the Foundation’s latest iteration of the Fair is on track to be the most successful and widest reaching one yet. In 2021, the Fair achieved a record $3.12 million in sales with 100% of profits going back to the Art Centres and their communities.

Commenting on the significance of connecting artists and the public in person, DAAF Foundation Executive Director, Claire Summers advises “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.

“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.”

Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair returns to Larrakia Country after two years and will showcase works from over 1,500 First Nations artists from across Australia.

DAAFF, as an internationally celebrated art fair, sits alongside the Foundation’s two Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP) events, Country to Couture and the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA). These events will provide audiences with a vibrant and immersive opportunity to experience world-renowned Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual art, fashion and cultural experiences.

Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair prioritises the benefits for communities above all else, with the preservation, protection and elevation of culture as a critical element to the health and wellbeing of remote communities across the country.

Commenting on the Foundation’s commitment to fostering First Nations talent, DAAF Foundation’s Artistic Director, Shilo McNamee, said the series of events continues to bring people together from all over the world to immerse themselves in the rich cultural tapestry, heritage, and storytelling of the world’s oldest living cultures.

“DAAF Foundation has been providing opportunities for Australian First Nations peoples to showcase their incredible creations for 16 years. 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 per cent of all profits go back to the artists and their communities.”

Northern Territory Government Minister for Major Events, Paul Kirby added “we welcome this premier event back to the Territory events calendar in 2022, after two years as a dedicated online event. Together with Country to Couture and the National Indigenous Fashion Awards, the events collectively represent the diversity, colour, collaborations and artistic contribution of our First Nations community. The Northern Territory Government is proud to support these events, which provide opportunities for Aboriginal artists and Art Centres to showcase their work and help attract visitors to the Territory.”

The program of events will run from 2nd-7th August 2022:

• Country to Couture – Tuesday 2nd August 2022
• National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) – Wednesday 3rd August 2022
• 16th Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) – 5th-7th August 2022
• DAAF Public Program – 5th-7th August 2022

Tickets to Country to Couture, the NIFA and DAAF are available now at www.daaf.com.au

Images from top: 2019 Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair; workshops; models for Country to Couture

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