Cairns Indigenous Art Fair has unveiled Makers Mark, a new addition to its 2025 Talks Program

Created as a keynote speaker series featuring three of the country's most influential and visionary First Nations cultural leaders, Dr. Archie Moore, Dr. Terri Janke, and Sebastian Goldspink, the new addition to the program is set to offer critical insights into their groundbreaking work in art, law, and cultural practice.

Cairns Indigenous Art Fair's (CIAF) Mark Makers talks will be hosted by Jack Wilkie-Jans, a respected Aboriginal affairs advocate, artist, and one of the three esteemed CIAF's 2025 Art Awards judges.

CIAF artistic director Teho Ropeyarn, said Mark Makers reflects the 2025 theme, 'Pay Attention!' and creates space for meaningful cultural discourse.

"Our Mark Makers are not only exceptional in their fields—they represent our communities' voice, resilience and intellect," Mr Ropeyarn said.

"These conversations will provoke, inspire, and deepen the dialogue around truth-telling, Indigenous knowledge systems, and the future of First Nations arts."

Each Mark Makers presentation is a specially ticketed event within the broader CIAF 2025 Talks Program, which also includes a series of free daily panels addressing themes such as collecting, promoting, conserving, and navigating policy in Indigenous arts.

Among the many highlights on CIAF's 2025 Mark Makers line-up, Sebastian Goldspink's discussion on 'Collaborative Partnerships: The relationship between Artists and Curators' is set to be a favourite amongst attendees.

Within this discussion Mr Goldspink, a renowned curator and cultural strategist, will share lessons from a 20-year career shaping contemporary arts practice, policy and pathways for First Nations artists.

Using the ongoing curatorial dialogue between Kamilaroi artist Reko Rennie and Burramattagal curator Sebastian Goldspink as a case study, Mr Goldspink's presentation will examine the creative relationship between artists and curators.

The partnership between Mr Rennie and Mr Goldspink is traced through early collaborations at the artist-run space ALASKA Projects and into large-scale presentations, including the Adelaide Biennial.

Mr Rennie's series of road films is a starting point for the broad discussion which seeks to demystify creative collaborations.

Recognised as Queensland's most significant and culturally immersive event, Mark Makers is just one part of CIAF that will culturally educate attendees and inspire creativity.

Cains Indigenous Art Fair's Mark Makers will occur daily from 10:00am on Friday 11 July to Sunday 13 July at the Tanks Arts Centre.

For more fashion, culture, arts and lifestyle news subscribe for free to the Style Up newsletter.