Page 37 - Tropic Magazine Issue 18

TROPIC • COVER STORY

DON’T MISS

Opening Night
A spectacular party at the Cairns
Cruise Liner Terminal. The line-
up includes Black Image, Mau
Pau, Constantina Bush and Sean
Choolburra. There’s also food and
drinks from local artisan suppliers
and a spectacular fireworks display.

Thancoupie Tribute
A Legacy of Cultural Power
Celebrating the life of founding
CIAF patron Thancoupie through a
retrospective of her work and her
legacy that continues to inspire
Queensland artists today.

Cultural Heights
A Legacy of Traditional
Language and Song
Traditional forms of singing rarely
heard outside the community
environment, performed in the
soaring acoustic setting of the
Cairns Performing Arts Centre.
Choirs will sing songs in several
languages, including Gunggandji,
Yidinji, Yalanji, Guugu Yimithirr,
Q&A Meriam Mir and Kulkalgal Ya.
Phillemon Mosby
Director of Kulkalgal Choir, performing in Cultural Heights
What impact has CIAF had on your art practice?
CIAF has given us a strategic musical platform to promote our culture,
history, people and language to a much wider audience and market.

What does art – be it visual or performing – mean to you?
Art is about translating a moment into personal experience or capturing Fashion Performance
a significant time and making it available for its future audience - most Buwal-barra ... Messenger.
importantly its cultural and spiritual custodians. Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow.

What do you like your audience to feel? Fast becoming one of CIAF’s most
I want our audience to feel excited, proud and inspired by Kulkalgal popular events, an extraordinary
people. I would like our audience to have a take away experience listening, presentation of art, fashion, dance,
learning and embracing Kulkalgal peoples’ journey and feel empowered music and performance. This year’s
and equipped to share this musical history with their friends and families. theme is based on the journey of a
I want each member of our audience to recognise how important it is for story being carried and delivered, via
Kulkalgal people to continue to practice, preserve and promote our rich, the showcasing of wearable art and
unique culture. elaborate adornments.

37 • tropicnow.com.au