Cairns Indigenous Art Fair has announced a significant new project for its 2026 season, culminating in the unveiling of a large-scale First Nations artwork at the iconic Tanks Arts Centre next July.

Funded through Arts Queensland's First Nations Commissioning Fund, CIAF has secured $70,000 to realise the project, which will be led in partnership with Blaklash, a nationally respected Indigenous-owned and operated agency directed by Troy Casey and Amanda Hayman.

According to CIAF artistic director Teho Ropeyarn, the initiative will support the selected First Nations artist from concept development through to fabrication and presentation, with the completed work premiering as a focal point of CIAF 2026.

"This commission is about celebrating Indigenous creativity on the grand scale it deserves," he said.

"We are proud to work with Blaklash to support an artist in creating an installation that will engage audiences, create new commercial pathways, and resonate as a cultural landmark for CIAF 2026."

Entitled Resonance - A CIAF Art Commissioning Project, the initiative dovetails with the event's 2026 theme Reclamation & Regeneration, embodying remembrance, renewal, and the transformative power of art to reclaim and reimagine cultural narratives.

Blaklash managing director Troy Casey said the project aligns perfectly with the agency's mission to elevate First Nations voices through design and public art.

"We look forward to collaborating with CIAF and the selected artist to deliver a project that not only celebrates culture but also provides mentorship, skill development and long-term career opportunities," he said.

Blaklash specialises in First Nations place-making, public art and community engagement.

Casey and Hayman also co-own Magpie Goose, a social enterprise fashion label that showcases First Nations art and design through textiles and ethically made garments, and co-direct Aboriginal Art Co, a not-for-profit art gallery and store in Magandjin / Brisbane.

The commissioned work will be designed with exhibition, commercial and community engagement outcomes in mind, incorporating elements that can be sold while spotlighting Indigenous storytelling and cultural exchange.

CIAF chair, Bianca Beetson, said the project highlights CIAF's role in strengthening Queensland's First Nations creative industries.

"This is an investment in both culture and careers. By providing resources, mentorship and visibility, CIAF is helping First Nations artists build sustainable practices while ensuring their stories reach new audiences," she said.

An Expression of Interest (EOI) process to select the artist will be launched in November 2025.

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