Cairns Indigenous Art Fair artistic director Teho Ropeyarn, pictured speaking to media at the launch of the event’s program last month, has been announced as the principal judge for the prestigious 2025 Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
Teho Ropeyarn’s rise in the Far North Queensland art scene has taken another leap forward after the influential artist and curator was announced as the principal judge for this year’s Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award.
Mr Ropeyarn, who is also the artistic director of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, will head the judging panel for the 2025 instalment of the art award, and said the appointment completes the full circle of his 16-year involvement with the event.
“I remember my first submission, Ikambala, into the Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award [in 2009],” he reflected.
“I was still a student at [the College of Fine Arts] at the time, and I created an oil painting of a crocodile as part of an assessment, so I decided to enter it into the award that year.
“I was very nervous, so I can imagine many artists completing their works for this year’s award would be feeling that as well.”
He has since collaborated with more than 100 artists and curated over 30 exhibitions, with his own works showcased nationally and internationally.
With his judge’s hat on, Mr Ropeyarn explained what he would be looking for in submissions, and encouraged artists at all levels to participate for the experience of entering a nationally recognised award.
“Through the award, we get to see a lot of emerging artists coming through the ranks,” he said.
“And that’s a positive thing to see, as that is the passing on of inspiration, knowledge and culture and that is how it continues; I’m eager to see culture and traditional cultural practices echoed in pieces that tell powerful stories across various mediums.
“The calibre of artists in the Torres Strait will produce some astonishing pieces and we see it all the time when they present at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair.”
Torres Strait Regional Authority Chairperson George Nona welcomed Mr Ropeyarn’s wealth of knowledge and keen eye for artistic expression in his role as principal judge.
“Teho is a well experienced and highly regarded creative in the Australian arts industry, and a respected member of the community,” he said.
The 2025 Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award will be held on 12 June on Waiben (Thursday Island).
Mr Ropeyarn’s first submission for the Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award in 2009, titled Ikambala. Photo: Supplied.
