Injinoo’s Teho Ropeyarn has been appointed acting artistic director of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair until 31 January 2025. Photo: Ben Searcy.
In a boost for Cape York and Torres Strait art, Cairns Indigenous Art Fair’s (CIAF) curatorial associate Teho Ropeyarn will act as the event’s artistic director until early 2025.
Mr Ropeyarn, who was born in Mount Isa and lives in Injinoo in the Northern Peninsula Area, is a long-serving member of the CIAF leadership team, a celebrated artist and respected arts worker who has dedicated his career to advancing First Nations artists and communities.
His appointment comes following the resignation of Francoise Lane as CIAF’s artistic director for two years and chief executive officer Dennis Stokes said it represented a new chapter for the event.
“Teho is a well-respected member of Australia’s creative arts industry, and being a Cairns, Far North Queensland local, his interim appointment to artistic director is a good news story for the community,” Mr Stokes said.
“Teho is a valued member of our team, who brings his deep passion for First Nations art and culture to the forefront of this celebrated platform.
“Under his artistic leadership in this interim period, CIAF will continue to build on its reputation for promoting the diverse voices and stories of Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.”
Mr Ropeyarn holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the College of Fine Arts at the University of New South Wales, and his experience includes roles as gallery curator at UMI Arts and curator of Indigenous Australian art at the Cairns Art Gallery.
His career as an artist has flourished parallel to his curatorial work, having been showcased in several solo and group exhibitions in national and international settings.
Mr Ropeyarn commenced his new role this month, with the appointment effective until 31 January 2025.
