Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) has appointed artist and arts sector leader Solomon Booth to its Board and confirmed Shavi Kanagaratnam as chief executive officer for a further two years, bringing an artist and art centre perspective to the Board and providing continuity in executive leadership as CIAF prepares for its 18th season in 2027.
A Mualgal and Kaurareg man from Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait Islands), Booth is also descended from the Yandruwanda Yawarrawakka and Wakka Wakka clans. He began making linocuts in 2000, drawing on his Torres Strait Island heritage.
The National Gallery of Australia acquired two of his works the following year. Booth was a founding director of Moa Arts and chaired it for 15 years.
He also helped establish the Indigenous Art Centre Alliance (IACA), which he chairs, and served two terms as a peer assessor for the Australia Council for the Arts, now Creative Australia.
"Working as an artist and helping build Moa Arts have shown me what art centres make possible," said Mr Booth.
"They give artists a place to develop work, share skills and build careers while staying connected to community. I want to bring that experience to the CIAF Board and help shape more opportunities for artists to show and sell their work."
IACA chief executive Edwina Circuitt said that Booth's appointment to the CIAF Board is an exciting step towards bringing IACA and CIAF closer together.
"It creates a great opportunity to strengthen our relationship, work more closely together and ensure our member art centres have a voice in shaping the future of the art fair," she said.
"IACA looks forward to building on this partnership and congratulates Solomon on his appointment. We see this as a positive step for both organisations and the wider First Nations arts sector."
Shavi Kanagaratnam's continued appointment builds on three years of involvement with CIAF, including two years serving on the Board as chair of the Audit and Risk Committee before stepping into executive leadership.
With extensive experience in banking, not-for-profit advisory, and First Nations corporate governance, Mr Kanagaratnam held senior roles at two of the big four banks, ANZ and NAB, before advising First Nations corporations across Australia on governance and financial management.
His leadership has focused on strengthening CIAF's financial sustainability, diversifying partnerships and positioning the organisation for long-term growth.
Kanagaratnam was also instrumental in securing CIAF's acceptance into Art Central Hong Kong in 2027, a significant step in connecting Queensland First Nations artists with international collectors, curators and cultural institutions.
Looking ahead, Mr Kanagaratnam is working alongside CIAF Chair Dr Bianca Beetson AM, the CIAF Board of Directors, Artistic Director Teho Ropeyarn and the wider CIAF team to shape an ambitious strategic vision through to 2032 and beyond.
"With the collective expertise of Board members Rhonda Appo OAM, Councillor Trevor Tim, Tarragh Cunningham, Leitha Assan, Vicki Saylor, Dominique Jones and newly appointed Solomon Booth, CIAF is strengthening its foundations for sustainable growth while expanding its national and international reach," Mr Kanagaratnam said.
Together, CIAF's leadership brings expertise spanning First Nations artistic practice, cultural leadership, art centre development, governance and strategic partnerships, underpinning the organisation's evolution as a leading platform for Queensland First Nations art and cultures.
"Over the next two years, my focus will remain on strengthening CIAF's long-term financial sustainability and building the platforms we provide to Queensland Artists, Designers and creatives," he said.
"That means building strong and lasting partnerships and giving the people who support CIAF a clear picture of what their investment makes possible."
The appointments reinforce CIAF's commitment to artist-led development, strong governance and creating meaningful opportunities for First Nations artists and communities.
CIAF returns to Gimuy/Cairns from the 8th-11th of July 2027.
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