THEY are celebrated abroad yet virtually unknown here at home, but that promises to change this weekend at the inaugural Cairns Indigenous Art Fair.
The work of more than 60 artists from across the Far North has been gathered for the three-day event, which offers to become the premier indigenous art market in Australia and a new international drawcard for the region.
Modelled on the Melbourne Art Fair and travelling close on the heels of the Darwin Indigenous Art Fair, the Cairns event has drawn buyers' representatives, gallery curators and art dealers from as far as Europe.
With many thousands of dollars poised to change hands, the event's general manager Ingrid Hoffman described the work from Cape York and the Torres Strait as the next big wave in collectable art.
"It is certainly the hot new item in the indigenous art world," she said.
"Economically, this will be a big boost for commercial galleries, artists and art centres in the remote areas of Cape York and the Torres Strait.
"Culturally, it's a very enriching prospect to be celebrating indigenous art in such a highly visible way. There is no reason this cannot rival any indigenous art fair in Australia."
Starting on Friday and running until Sunday at the Tanks Arts Centre, the fair will feature work from both established and emerging artists.
There will also be traditional and contemporary music from names such as Torres Strait Islander Christine Anu and Kuranda's Zennith, dance performances and keynote speakers Judy Watson and Nicolas Rothwell.
Ms Watson's art is a staple of several national galleries while Mr Rothwell is one of the country's most respected writers on indigenous issues. Premier Anna Bligh will also attend.
Torres Strait Islander artist Ricardo Idagi, who recently won the $50,000 Western Australian Indigenous Art Award, the nation’s richest indigenous art prize, said the fair puts the power back in the hands of the region’s artists.
"Indigenous painting and culture is worth millions and it often goes untapped," he said.
"It's good to get the local people involved and selling art themselves, it gives value to their culture."
Other venues being used during the fair include Canopy Arts, on Grafton St; Djumbji Press, on Greenslopes St, and Kick Arts Galleries, on Abbott St.
Ms Hoffmann says that both art connoisseurs and casual collectors will be catered for.
"We offer high-end art through to works for people being introduced to indigenous art for the first time," she said.
"Acclaimed artists like Sally Gabori, Dennis Nona, Alex Tipoti and more are all exhibiting. I'm sure that everyone who attends will be delighted by variety that is on offer."
