Indij Design

📣 Call-Out for Models 📣

The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) invites models to apply to be a part of this year’s 𝘾𝙄𝘼𝙁 𝙁𝙖𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙒𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙣. The annual Fashion Performance—now celebrating its 10th anniversary—has become a leading platform celebrating and promoting Indigenous fashion, haute couture and wearable art.

The 𝘾𝙄𝘼𝙁 𝙁𝙖𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙒𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙣 brings together contemporary Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander cultures, fine art and high-end fashion, in presenting visual storytelling through the platform of a catwalk experience. Models are encouraged to apply to participate in showing the designs of designers via the Performances, a professional photoshoot and a pre-show, mentoring experience, working closely with Lynelle Flinders (curator).

Applications are open for Queensland Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander models and emerging models. EOIs close 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟰 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹, close of business.

Download the EOI Form here 👉🏿www.ciaf.com.au/news/call-out-models

📸Sarah Eggmolesse, Amariah Thomas Savage, Milisont Sailor, Gillyba Ambrum, Ann Maree Titasey, and Loretta Messa wear Rosie Ware's Strait on Cloth – Wug collection, first shown CIAF Fashion Performance — Masters of Country (2022). Photograph by The Photo Corner, 2022.

Join 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗙 by January 31 and go in the running to win a number of fabulous tours. These have been generously sponsored by our good friends at Mandingalbay Authentic Indigenous Tours.

📖 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗙 is a two-tier membership program created to further engage and reward loyal supporters of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) with exclusive, immersive experiences:

✊🏾 Support culture,
✊🏾 Meet with artists and hear their stories,
✊🏾 Help grow an ethical marketplace for Indigenous artists,
✊🏾 Participate in meaningful cultural exhange,
✊🏾 Network with others who are passionate about the arts and Indigenous affairs,
✊🏾 Receive special ticket purchase opportunities,
✊🏾 Receive special discounts on merchandise,
✊🏾 Be treated to a special guided tour of the Art Fair + other exclusive events,
✊🏾 Get to know the CIAF team and the great work our organisation does supporting communities, mob and Indigenous traditional & contemporary arts & culture,
✊🏾 And more...

🌏 𝘚𝘪𝘨𝘯 𝘶𝘱 👉🏿 www.ciaf.com.au/friends-ciaf

| 13-16 July | Ciaf.com.au

Interested in planning with Country in mind? Check out this Deadly Djurumin Yarn and others about Designing with Country principles at https://parlour.org.au

Thank you to Aven Noah and the deadly team at Northsite Contemporary Arts for the presentation of Tropical Punk Backpacks

CIAF Fashion Story opening at the Cairns Court House Gallery last Thursday was very special. Congratulations to all exhibiting designers and artists. So much to celebrate in the regions Indigenous Fashion and Design at the forefront of the National and international Indigenous Fashion movement.

https://www.artshub.com.au/news/news/cairns-grassroots-indigenous-fashion-2562730/
A well written article by Celina Lei of Arts Hub on CIAF's Fashion Story exhibition. The exbibition will show until the 30 July. Check the Cairns Court House Gallery website for opening days and times.

How grassroots creativity fostered Indigenous fashion While Cairns might not be known for fashion, it has been pivotal in growing Indigenous Fashion talents.

Last year Francoise was approached to join the talented artists who have gone before her to have their artwork projected onto the Cairns City Library. This is one of her goals come true…

How DEADLY is this woman! Loved this yarn with Mundanara

Black Magic Woman Podcast - Episode #89 CIAF Series This series is presented in partnership with Black Magic Woman, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair and Bumma Bippera Media 98.7 FM. The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair wi...

Indij Design has two buildings in this year's regional architecture awards. Tropic Cairns is hosting the 2022 People's Choice Award Far North Queensland. Our two buildings are the Yarrabah Gateway Building and the Midin Indigenous Health Clinic in Atherton. You can show your support by clicking the link and voting.
https://www.tropicnow.com.au/2022/may/19/vote-now-cairns-and-far-north-queenslands-best-new-buildings-and-architecture?fbclid=IwAR3tMRm2y2qOvY8uaZvaPkJe6nCZULf-3Upn6UmZ3JwOqYFMzNxB4jO8vBs

VOTE NOW: Cairns and Far North Queensland's best new buildings and architecture Vote for your favourite projects among an incredible line-up of new buildings and architecture in the Far North Queensland region's People's Choice Award.

Indij Design in collaboration with Elverina Johnson of and WOW Cairns Festival delivered a ‘Grounding’ experience on Gunggandji Country on the 7 May with women from the region and as far south as Brisbane. Elverina led the group on a silent walk on a path her ancestors had tread. We absorbed the sounds, smells, textures and significance of place.
Over billy tea and damper scones the ladies (and two children) were invited to contribute to the ‘Gathering’ relief sculpture in response to their grounding experience on Country.
‘Gathering’ (the relief sculpture) was assembled by Elverina and Francoise weeks earlier sourcing materials from Country including midi (lawyer cane), natural twine and paperbark. We also used trusty cable ties too.
The sculpture is a collaborative and collective outcome supported by WOW Australia and Northsite Contemporary Arts.
‘Gathering’ is currently on exhibition at Northsite Contemporary Arts.

This month NorthSite will showcase two exciting exhibitions at Bulmba-ja for WOW Cairns 2022 WOW - Women of the World Festival
We're installing the exhibition 'WOW Cairns Women's Show' which celebrates 32 female artists across Far North Queensland.

Elverina Johnson and Francoise Lane began the making of the exhibition ‘Gathering’ on Gungganji Country. This exciting sculptural piece is a community collaboration that will be presented within the gallery at Bulmba-ja next weekend 13/14th May.

Participants can contribute to the making of ‘Gathering’ during the workshop with Francoise Lane and Elverina Johnson on Saturday 7 May at Paperbark Arts & Exclusive Cultural Tours. For more information visit: www.wowaustralia.com.au/wow-cairns-2022

Image credit: JEAN WALMBENG, 'Jean's Mother's Country (Series 6/7)', 2019, Painting, 540 mm x 520 mm

Indij Design friends - would love to have you join Elverina and I for this special workshop at Paperbark Arts, Yarrabah. Contribute to the making of ‘Gathering’ the sculptural collaborative piece to be exhibited at Northsite Contemporary Arts during WOW Cairns.

'Gathering' - Workshop 1 ‘Gathering’ will provide a ‘grounding’ experience for the participants. You will be welcomed to Country by Gunngandji woman and Paperbark Art’s Elverina Johnson.

Anyone with mannequins???

📣 Call-Out for Donations 📣

The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) is busy planning a special event for 2022, celebrating the CIAF Fashion Performances over the years.

As such, we're seeking donations/loans of a range of mannequins for casts to make ‘invisible’ mannequins. We're looking for a range of male and female, full-body and torso mannequins (in various sizes). If you, or someone you know may be able to help, please get in touch via: [email protected]

What we're seeking:

- Male (Full-Body Standing) – 2 x Small,
- Female (Full-Body Standing) – 20 x of a range of sizes: 8, 10 & 12,
- Female (Torso) – 5 x sizes 8 and 10,
- Condition: Good, with all limbs; it doesn’t matter if the paint is flaking or if the nose is chipped as the mannequins will be used as casts.

Thank you ABC Far North for telling the story of Koskir Mekik Atami so far. It was a pleasure to yarn with Amanda and explain the level of planning, problem solving and many hours of handiwork that is going into this piece. I look forward to sharing the finished sculpture and viewing all the amazing artworks at CIAF's Big Sculpture Exhibition in July.

The Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) is just over three months away and artists are busy finalising their artwork. Local artist Francoise Lane is creating a large scupture, inspired by a photograph of her sister-in-law casting a net off the jetty of her home Country, Kerriri (Hammond Island in the Torres Strait). It will be one of 18 sculptures as part of 'The Big Sculptures' on display at the Cairns Convention Centre in July.

https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/design/the-homes-that-make-australia-s-top-architects-envious-20220223-p59z0e

Here is a different perspective on a few of Australia’s well known architects published in the Australian Financial Review. They nominate the residences they wish they had designed themselves – and ponder the meaning of home. Andrew Lane responds in the final interview.

The homes that make Australia’s top architects envious Three of our most lauded practitioners nominate the residences they wish they had designed themselves – and ponder the meaning of home.

This International Women’s Day Indij Design celebrates the strong women in our Indigenous communities bringing the strength, love, encouragement, wisdom, generosity and big hearts to those around them.
Biggest love to these special women behind the Flora and Fauna Nomore, Yarrabah wearable arts project 2021.

Merry Christmas!
We wish you and yours a blessed Christmas. For us it is time to pause, reflect and count our blessings.
We have enjoyed the journey with our clients to see their goals realised. Some stand outs are below.
We have celebrated with our clients and their communities at the opening of the Midin Clinic Atherton and Yarrabah Arts Precinct Gateway Building.
Together with Indij Design cocurated ‘Where’s your permit?’
Tank 4 which gave artists voice to living under and with restrictions.
Indij Design had the pleasure to work with and Djunngaal (Yarrabah Women’s Elder Group) to present ‘Flora and Fauna Namore’ wearable art collection. Elders and artists worked with Indij Design to develop textile designs inspired by sacred themes.
Artwork by
Title - Three Wise Cassowaries

Baby Onesie in Hercules textile design.
Indij Design’s online shop is now open. Be quick because it is only open until 16th December.
Link in bio.

available for order in 2m minimum lengths

Indij Design’s online shop is now open. Be quick because it is only open until the 16th December.
Link in bio.
Coral Christmas card pictured

Indij Design’s online shop is now open. Be quick because it is only open until the 16th December.
Link in bio.

Indij Design’s online shop is now open. Be quick because it is only open until the 16th December.
Link in bio.
Glam Clam cotton linen blend tea towel pictured

Indij Design’s online shop is now open. Be quick because it is only open until the 16th December.
Sergeant Major Earrings pictured in their gift boxes. See previous posts for the story behind the design.
Link in bio.

Indij Design online shop is now up and running.
Just click on the red 'Shop' button to access. https://www.indijdesign.com.au/indij-prints

Indij Design is about supporting local artists where possible in our projects. Wayne McGinness’s Aboriginal Steel Art possum sculpture was commissioned for the external signage wall at the newly built Midin Clinic in Atherton. As Wayne says he is a local lad who is proud to have his his sculpture in his hometown. We are proud of him too! The Midin Clinic is operated by Mulungu Aboriginal Corporation Health Service who supported the inclusion of Wayne’s sculpture for their new Clinic.

Thanks to Francoise and Andrew from Indij Designs for giving me the opportunity to make this sculpture for Midin Clinic in my birth town of Atherton. About two meters wide, I delivered it this morning, then took Mum to breakfast. I now have a piece of public art in
almost every town I've ever lived.

Flora and Fauna Namore
A Djunngaal and Yarrabah Arts Centre collaboration with Indij Design.

So proud of these ladies and Wayne. The textile designs and dress design were completed over several months.

It started with a blessing on the original camp ground of the Gunggandji people with a fire, smoking, singing and prayer of blessing. The charcoal from the fire was then used to begin drawing the conceptual artworks for the textile designs.

This is how Country, Sacred Country becomes embedded in the creative process. Begun the right way on Country with the Gunggandji women elders and leaders blessing the project from the start. More to be posted in coming weeks on the story behind ‘Flora and Fauna Namore’.

Is it a Cassowary Christmas or Brainy Coral Christmas this year? Well at Indij Design it can be as we integrate popular prints and elements of new prints.
Cards are available for purchase from Indij Design’s market stall at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair’s Music in the Park tomorrow, Saturday 13th November.

Sergeant Major earrings in PASTEL!

Indij Design will have a market stall at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair’s Music in the Park this Saturday 13th November. The earrings will be available for sale there.

The fish, the fabric and the earrings. Would you like to know the inspiration behind the the Sergeant Major Earring design? Keep scrolling…
Indij Design will have a market stall at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair’s Music in the Park this Saturday 13th November where you can purchase the earrings.
The inspiration…
My oldest son took me out on a mother and son date in 2016 to his workplace on the reef. Whilst snorkling with my son the Sergeant Major fish schools really stood out to me. Later that day he told me I was going to be a grandmother. It was a very special day and I wanted to create a print that would capture that memory. This print is dedicated to my son Jordan.

Squiddy Tales design on light weight 100% cotton twill tea towels.
A selection of Indij Design prints on 100% cotton and cotton/linen fabric will be available for sale at our market stall this Saturday 13th November at Cairns Indigenous Art Fair’s, Music in the Park.

The inspiration.
Squids…a beautiful translucent and graceful creature with…ahh black ink and memories of it all over my face! One steamy wet season night on Engineers Wharf on Waiben (Torres Strait Islands) I celebrated as my husband hooked his first squid by hand line. Being a mainland Islander I had yet to experience the spraying of the ink. Whilst I was oblivious to the youngsters and my husband stepping away I leaned over to view the poor creature. I was baptized by squid ink that night to the delight of the young ones also fishing during the midnight hours. On another occasion whilst snorkeling on the reef I was studied by a school of some 12 squid. Initially they were hard to spot being translucent creatures but as I observed 1, then 3 then 5. I realized they were observing me like a larger less graceful squiddy thing worth calling in the family to look at. All the while I was thinking of how much my family would love to eat these swimming calamaries!