Aboriginal Art Fair in Darwin Resumes for the 19th Time
The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) is set to return to Larrakia Country in Darwin, Australia, from August 8 to 10, 2025. This annual event, now in its 19th year, remains the largest gathering of its kind dedicated to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, design, and culture.
For those unable to attend in person, DAAF Online offers a world of bold, contemporary First Nations design rooted in over 65,000 years of cultural heritage. Each artwork on DAAF Online carries generations of storytelling, innovation, and cultural strength. Guests can buy art directly from Art Centres through the online platform, providing a unique opportunity for artists to showcase their work and put Indigenous agency and culture at the forefront.
The fair serves as a significant platform for promoting and supporting Indigenous art. It showcases contemporary works from more than 79 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Centres, featuring artists from diverse regions such as the Central Desert, Arnhem Land, Tiwi Islands, and the Torres Strait Islands.
DAAF's significance lies in its role as a cultural celebration and preservation, economic empowerment, global visibility and access, and educational impact. It presents Indigenous stories, traditions, and cultural expressions through visual art and design, fostering cultural sovereignty and renewal. By ensuring ethical art sales, with 100% of proceeds going directly to the artists and their communities, it supports sustainable futures for Indigenous creators.
The fair offers an internationally recognized venue and online platform where collectors, gallerists, and art enthusiasts can engage with First Nations art. It raises awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, nurturing cultural identity and pride.
Leaders and community representatives have praised DAAF for its role in empowering Indigenous artists to control and share their narratives while promoting economic independence and cross-cultural exchange. The fair aligns with broader movements to value and respect Indigenous knowledge and creativity within Australia's contemporary cultural landscape.
In addition to the physical and online events, DAAF offers masterclasses, talks, and demonstrations to learn about cultural heritage, stories, history, and traditional artistic practices. The event also includes an Opening Ceremony, Public Program, and DAAF Online.
The DAAF Foundation, supported by various organisations including the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation, Creative Australia, the Australian Government, the Northern Territory Government, and others, ensures that 100% of sales made at DAAF Online go back to artists and their communities.
For those interested in attending or participating in DAAF, more information and tickets can be found on www.daaf.com.au. DAAF Online can be accessed via https://daaf.com.au/ and http://2025.daaf.com.au.
In another exciting development, "The Stars We Do Not See: Australian Indigenous Art" will launch on 18 October 2025 at the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC, featuring over 200 works by more than 130 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. The exhibition will tour North America through early 2027.
DAAF continues to be one of the country's most significant and internationally recognized arts events. Institutions such as the Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre, Yirrkala, Arnhem Land, have been exhibited internationally, including in the United States and Europe.
As the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair returns, it reaffirms its commitment to elevating Indigenous artistic expression, fostering ethical investment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and cementing its position as a vital institution in Australia's art and cultural scene.
- For art enthusiasts seeking diversified artistic expressions, exploring the home-and-garden section of DAAF Online offers an opportunity to find unique Indigenous art pieces, rooted in a rich cultural heritage spanning over 65,000 years.
- The annual Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) extends beyond art and culture; it also hosts masterclasses, talks, and demonstrations, empowering individuals to delve deeper into Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage, storytelling, and traditional artistic practices.
