First Nations Telegraph

Cairns Festival is set to open with a compelling and culturally significant exhibition, (re)connection: Culture, Country & People, running from 23 August 2024 to 11 January 2025.

This exhibition marks the opening of the Mulgrave Gallery and aims to provide time and space for reconnecting with the deep cultural roots of First Nations people.

The (re)connection exhibition has been led by Cairns Regional Council First Nations Curator Peggy Kasabad Lane and seeks to strip back the layers of history within the Mulgrave Gallery to the land on which it stands.

This initiative acknowledges the site's original name, its colonial function and its new role as a First Nations-focused gallery.

“When people enter the space, I want them to go on a journey of experiencing the artists' work, really slowing down, taking a moment, being immersed and listening to what the artist is trying to communicate,” Lane said.

“There are some works in there from female artists that are quite dominant in a space which in its previous function was dominated by men; and there is also truth that speaks to the journey of Indigenous people in the region.

“There is trauma within this architecture, and as First Nations focused spaces, this is an opportunity to reclaim, reconnect and change the narrative of the space.

“I really want the incredible work to be seen through a positive lens, celebrating the wonderful artists that have taken the time to create them,” she added.

For Lane, having the Mulgrave Gallery open alongside the Cairns Festival provided an opportunity to integrate the galleries with the activations on the Cairns Esplanade, creating a seamless flow between the indoor and outdoor spaces while showcasing First Nations art.

“Walking through the whole area is an emotional journey that I want people to come on, while taking in all the festival has to offer.

“This includes the music and performances on the front lawn of the Court House Gallery to the beautiful gobos featuring First Nations artwork on the Esplanade alongside Reef Lights, with Indigenous Design Lab telling their contemporary story about connection to the reef.”

Lane said these exhibitions offered a rich tapestry of visual arts that explored and celebrated the diverse cultural narratives of the region.

“These are really important moments and stories that flow through the whole area, representative of our First Nations people in our region,” she said.

Complementing the Mulgrave Gallery exhibition will be Shift, an evocative outdoor film by Zane Saunders in collaboration with Bonemap. The film will be shown at 6pm each night of Cairns Festival outside Mulgrave Gallery, connecting it with the Court House Gallery.

Shift offers a poetic reflection on the transformation and shapeshifting of human spaces, capturing the adaptation of the former Mulgrave town hall.

Additionally, the Court House Gallery will feature several notable exhibitions during Cairns Festival, including Janjariby Dr Fiona Foley, Voices of Our Past by Galbu Geth, Cultural Narratives of the North and Bloom by Bonemap.

Marking this occasion, the Festival launch party, A Cultural Rising, will take place on the front lawn of the Court House Gallery on 23 August 2024.

This free event will honour the traditional lands with a Welcome to Country ceremony and showcase performances by the Naygayiw Gigi, Saibai Island Dance Troupe, hip-hop artist Normey Jay and iconic Christine Anu.

The public is invited to attend the launch event at 6pm, where they can experience the rich cultural expressions of First Nations artists and performers.

Additional satellite exhibits will be hosted during Cairns Festival at Bulmba-ja, featuring Season Four at Northsite Gallery, as well as Sweatbox at Crate59 Gallery and Energy 2024 at the Tanks Arts Centre (Tank 4).

Cairns Festival will run from 23 August to 1 September. For the full program of music, theatre, film, dance, and more, go to www.cairnsfest.com.au.