Hope Vale artist Daisy Hamlot has been awarded the Premier’s Award for Excellence, leading the honour roll at the 2026 CIAF Art Awards announced today at Tanks Arts Centre.
Chosen from more than 800 artworks presented by 36 exhibitors and 90 artists, including 21 independent artists, across the CIAF Art Fair Showcase, this year’s winners were selected by an esteemed judging panel for artistic excellence and outstanding responses to the 2026 theme, Reclamation & Regeneration.
Marking the 10th anniversary of the CIAF Art Awards, judges praised the exceptional calibre of entries, describing the final selections as a reflection of the diversity, originality and artistic excellence of First Nations practice across Queensland.
The CIAF Art Awards judging panel, comprising Freja Carmichael, Curator at the University of Queensland Art Museum, Sophia Sambono, Assistant Curator, QAGOMA, and Aven Noah Jnr, Curator and Gallery Officer at NorthSite Contemporary Arts, said this year’s finalists and winners demonstrated powerful and nuanced creative practice in a variety of mediums to express culture, while challenging perceptions and shaping contemporary conversations.
Photo: Edwina Circuitt.
Judges praised Hamlot’s painting, Guuda, Cockatoos, Mangoes and Bullocks! (2026), describing it as “a work of understated subtlety that embraces the viewer in its powerful presence”. They said Hamlot carries forward the legacy of senior women painters while contributing to contemporary First Nations storytelling through a distinctive visual language that elevates Country and living culture.
“Across every category, we were struck by artists who are confidently extending their practice while remaining deeply grounded in culture, Country and community. The strength of this year’s finalists reflects both the richness of artistic traditions and the exciting directions contemporary First Nations practice continues to take,” they said.
Minister for the Arts, John-Paul Langbroek acknowledged the central role the CIAF Art Awards have played in celebrating Queensland Indigenous artists over the past decade, providing a unique platform to showcase their artistic achievements.
“Congratulations to Daisy Hamlot on winning the Premier’s Award for Excellence, which recognises the most outstanding work in CIAF’s Art Fair Showcase,” Minister Langbroek said.
“I would like to congratulate all nominees and winners of this year’s Art Awards – your extraordinary works are well-deserving of this recognition.”
CIAF Artistic Director Teho Ropeyarn said the 2026 winners reflected the strength, innovation and cultural authority of contemporary First Nations creative practice across Queensland.
“This year’s winners demonstrate how First Nations artists continue to respond to culture in ways that are both deeply grounded and boldly contemporary,” Mr Ropeyarn said.
“Reclamation & Regeneration builds on the conversation we began with last year’s theme, Pay Attention!. This year we’ve seen artists respond by pushing their practice further, experimenting with new materials and approaches while remaining deeply connected to culture, Country and identity,” said Mr Ropeyarn.
“CIAF exists not only to celebrate excellence, but to nurture the next generation of First Nations artists. Each year we see artists grow in confidence, ambition and technical skill, and these awards recognise both artistic achievement and the important role artists play in shaping Queensland’s cultural future.”
The winners represent artists and art centres from across Queensland, recognised for excellence in painting, sculpture, installation, professional development and emerging practice.
The CIAF 2026 Art Award winners are:
- Premier’s Award for Excellence ($25,000), supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland – Daisy Hamlot, Hopevale Arts Centre for Guuda, Cockatoos, Mangoes & Bullocks!, 2026.
- Innovation Art Award ($10,000) – Jimmy K.Thaiday for sculptural ghostnet installation.
- Art Centre Award ($10,000) – Munimba-ja Arts Centre, Eumundi.
- Emerging Artist Award ($10,000), supported by Apunipima Cape York Health Council – Ivy Minniecon for Ngamu 2026.
- CATAPULT Professional Development Award ($10,000) supported by Cairns Regional Council – Harriet Mills, Salan Arts; new award in 2026.
- 3D Design, Sculpture & Innovation Award ($5,000) supported by Ports North – Keith Wikmunea, Wik & Kugu Arts Centre for Yeel / Corella 2025.
The People’s Choice Award ($5,000), supported by Torres Strait Regional Authority, will be announced during CIAF’s Closing Ceremony on Sunday, 12 July 2026
CIAF weekend highlights
Following what is expected to be a record-breaking opening celebration at Tanks Arts Centre last night, the 2026 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) continues today with the CIAF Visual Art Awards (1 pm, Tank 5) and tonight’s sold-out fashion premiere at The Mill, Stratford.
Today is the beginning of the three-day Masterclasses & Talks program with Archibald Prize winner Blak Douglas presenting a keynote at 11 am in Tank 5.
An estimated 1,400 guests gathered for last night’s official opening, with performances by the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji Dancers, Naygayiw Gigi, Circa Cairns, Kaybee and Djawarray officially launching this year’s festival.
For the next three days, festival-goers can explore the work of 90 artists (more than 800 artworks presented by 36 exhibitors) across the Art Fair Showcase in Tanks 3 and 4, while the Artisans Showcase features 36 market stalls offering affordable First Nations art, homewares, fashion, jewellery and gifts.
Tonight, attention returns to The Mill, Stratford, where the sold-out premiere of Reclamation and Regeneration showcases 24 collections across two spectacular fashion performances celebrating the themes of People, Culture & Country, alongside the inaugural CIAF Textile & Design Awards, a wearable art exhibition, and a pop-up store. Yesterday’s community performance was well received, with three designers from Taiwan and two from New York adding international flair to the runway for the first time.
Below is a handy guide to what’s happening across the remainder of the festival, including free exhibitions, talks, performances, guided tours, masterclasses and family activities throughout the weekend.
A reminder that a free shuttle bus will operate between the Cairns CBD and Tanks Arts Centre throughout the weekend.
Friday 10 July – Tanks Arts Centre & The Mill, Stratford
- CIAF Visual Art Awards (1.00 pm) – Tank 5 (results available but under embargo)
- Wearable Art Exhibition (4 pm) – The Mill
- Textile & Design Awards (6.30 pm) – The Mill (results available but under embargo)
- Fashion Premiere – Reclamation & Regeneration (5 pm & 8 pm) –The Mill
- Blak Douglas keynote (11 am) – Tank 5
- Guided tours and masterclasses – Tanks Arts Centre
Saturday 11 July – Tanks Arts Centre
- Imbala – The Dance of the Butterfly by Kawanjii Dancers (2.00 pm) – Tank 5
- Luke Currie-Richardson keynote (11 am) – Tank 5
- Cultural dance performances
- Guided tours, talks and workshops
- Elders Lounge and family activities
Sunday 12 July
- Elverina Johnson keynote (11 am) – Tank 5
- CIAF Talks – Reclamation of Our Remembering (12.30 pm) – Tank 5
- Closing Ceremony (2.00 pm) – Tank 5
- Final opportunity to view the Art Fair and Artisans Showcases
