A significant contingent of NSW Aboriginal artists will be represented for the first time at the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair this week, thanks to the efforts of the Aboriginal Culture, Heritage & Arts Association (ACHAA) and the Aboriginal Regional Arts Alliance (ARAA).
The two organisations have brought the vibrant, diverse styles of NSW First Nations artists to the national and international audiences of Australia's premiere showcase of First Nations art. This marks a pivotal shift in national representation at DAAF, with a notable increase in participating artists from NSW Aboriginal Language Groups.
This year ARAA selected five leading artists from their regional NSW network: Jamie-Lea Trindall (Wiradjuri/Ngunnawal) from Coonamble, Kylie Caldwell (Bundjalung) from Wollongbar, Tania Hartigan (Gomeroi) from Wallabadah, Tess Reading (Gomeroi) from Tamworth, and Kerri-Ann Taggart (Wonnarua) from Singleton.
In addition, ARAA has brought a delegation of artists and arts workers, experiencing DAAF in a professional development capacity.
Working from its network of 20 community-controlled cultural centres and galleries, ACHAA is presenting artists' works from Armidale Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation, Dunghutti-Ngaku Aboriginal Art Gallery, Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre, and Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Cooperative.
These centres and galleries are being represented in person by artists including Alison Williams (Gumbaynggirr), Bob Blair (Kamilaroi), Rachel Cross (Dunghutti), and Rubyrose Bancroft (Bundjalung).
"This opportunity provides a meaningful lift for NSW artists and communities on a national and international platform," said ACHAA chief executive Steve Miller.
"We're excited to be there with the ARAA contingent, magnifying the NSW presence. I think we have the mix of artists right from the many NSW Language Groups to make a big impression."
ARAA's managing director Lorrayne Fishenden also shared her excitement surrounding what this means for First Nations creatives.
"We're celebrating a ground- breaking achievement for Aboriginal artists from Regional and Remote New South Wales," she said.
"It's a moment of pride, recognition, and rightful place. At ARAA, we believe regional voices matter - they carry truth, culture, and brilliance, and they deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated across the country."
Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair will open to the public on the 8th of August, 2025.
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