A significant contingent of NSW Aboriginal artists will be represented for the first time atthe Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair 2025 thanks to the joint efforts of the Aboriginal Culture,Heritage & Arts Association (ACHAA) and the Aboriginal Regional Arts Alliance (ARAA). These sector-leading organisations will bring the vibrant, diverse styles of NSW Aboriginalartists to the national and international audiences of Australia’s premiere showcase ofFirst Nations art. This marks a pivotal shift in national representation at DAAF, with anotable and long-overdue increase in participating artists from NSW Aboriginal LanguageGroups. ARAA has selected five leading artists from their regional NSW network: Jamie-LeaTrindall (Wiradjuri/Ngunnawal) from Coonamble, Kylie Caldwell (Bundjalung) fromWollongbar, Tania Hartigan (Gomeroi) from Wallabadah, Tess Reading (Gomeroi) fromTamworth, and Kerri-Ann Taggart (Wonnarua) from Singleton. In addition ARAA will bring adelegation of artists and arts workers, experiencing DAAF in a professional developmentcapacity
Working from its network of 20 community-controlled cultural centres and galleries,ACHAA will present artists works from Armidale Aboriginal Cultural Centre, CoomaditchieUnited Aboriginal Corporation, Dunghutti-Ngaku Aboriginal Art Gallery, YarrawarraAboriginal Cultural Centre, and Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Cooperative. These centresand galleries will be 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 anational and international platform,” ACHAA CEO Steve Miller said. “We’re excited to bethere with the ARAA contingent, magnifying the NSW presence. I think we have the mix ofartists right from the many NSW Language Groups to make a big impression.” ARAA’s Managing Director Lorrayne Fishenden said: “Today, we’re celebrating a ground-breaking achievement for Aboriginal artists from Regional and Remote New South Wales.
It’s a moment of pride, recognition, and rightful place.” Lorrayne continued, saying “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.”
The DAAF delegations from Aboriginal Regional Arts Alliance and the Aboriginal Culture, Heritage & Arts Association are grateful for the support of the Federal Government’s Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) program and the NSW Government through Create NSW.
About ACHAA: The Aboriginal Culture, Heritage & Arts Association (ACHAA) is owned, driven and directed by its core membership of 20 Aboriginal community-controlled, place-based, not-for-profits dedicated to knowledge sharing, cultural expression and creative industries. Through inspiring community leadership, ACHAA members create Living Centres for Living Cultures dedicated to advancing NSW Aboriginal culture, arts and heritage.
About ARAA: The Aboriginal Regional Arts Alliance (NSW) Aboriginal Corporation is a proud, 100% Aboriginal-owned and controlled organisation established in 2019 by a passionate collective of Regional Aboriginal Artists and Arts Administrators from our homelands of NSW. Our mission is to advocate, support and provide opportunities for Aboriginal Artists, Arts Workers, Aboriginal Organisations and Cultural Practitioners in Regional NSW.
Media release and image courtesy of ARAA.