National Indigenous Art Fair: Here’s An Event Sydneysiders Won’t Want To Miss
- Words by Emma Mulholland
If you’re a Sydneysider with a wall in need of a glow-up (or a fabric stash in need of something special), then you’re in luck because the National Indigenous Art Fair (NIAF) is heading to town this month (29 and 30 June 2024). Held on Gadigal land, at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Warrane (Sydney Cove), this annual event is your chance to peruse prints, textiles, ceramics and jewellery from all over the country – and to purchase directly from the artists.
above NICK LAWRENCE, DESTINATION NSW
above (left and centre) NICK LAWRENCE, DESTINATION NSW
The weekend also happens to be packed with arty workshops that will have you painting and weaving alongside masters of the craft. Plus, all profits go to remote, community-owned art centres and their artists, ensuring these skills are passed on. Says Peter Cooley, CEO of event organiser First Hand Solutions: “The National Indigenous Art Fair is a unique opportunity for these art centres, which are often economically excluded, to showcase, celebrate and sell their art in Sydney.”
Beyond the dollars, Peter says the fair is important for bridging the urban and non-urban divide. “Many Australians haven’t had the opportunity to connect with Indigenous people and culture, further challenged by the geographic divide between our remote communities and cities on the east coast. NIAF breaks down these barriers, building pride in culture and amplifying the voice of remote communities.”
above (from left) MARY DHAPALANY FROM BULA’BULA ARTS, POSSUM SKIN WRISTBANDS, THEO (FAYE) NANGALA HUDSON FROM WARLUKURLANGU ARTISTS
Our advice? Book a spot in the ochre-on-paper workshop, where you’ll get a chance to learn the painting techniques of West Arnhem Land, taught by Kunwinjku artists from Injalak Arts Centre. There’s also communal weaving to be done, a bush food cooking demo and live music by the Stiff Gins and Microwave Jenny.
For little artists, there’s sand painting and a Torres Strait Island dance workshop. Plus, artist and storyteller Amanda Reynolds (Guringai) will lead kids’ wristband-making workshops using offcuts from possum pelts, shells and recycled fibres. They’re traditionally gifted as a token of friendship and connection among people living in what is now Sydney and the South Coast.
above (left and right) BASKET WEAVING AT NUMBULWAR NUMBURINDI ARTS (centre) FAITH BUTLER IN TJUKURLA, PHOTOGRAPHED BY ROSIE FRECHEVILLE
Another highlight is The Living Room, an installation curated by Paper Dolls actress Miah Madden (Gadigal and Bundjalung). Filled with Indigenous-designed furniture, textiles and homewares, Miah’s showroom takes Indigenous art beyond the walls of a gallery and brings it into the home.
THIS ARTICLE WAS CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR GOOD FRIENDS AT THE NATIONAL INDIGENOUS ART FAIR. THE EVENT RUNS 29 AND 30 JUNE 2024 AT THE OVERSEAS PASSENGER TERMINAL IN WARRANE (SYDNEY COVE). FAIR ENTRY IS $2.50 (FREE FOR CHILDREN UNDER FIVE). TO BOOK A WORKSHOP OR FOR A LIST OF PARTICIPATING ART CENTRES, GO TO niaf.com.au.
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Look, I don’t want to make anyone panic but IT’S DECEMBER!!! If you’re planning to give homemade gifts, you’re going to have to act fast. …
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This is a much-loved staple, created for Issue 50 in 2021. We love seeing the #PeppermintPaddingtonTop continually popping up in our feeds!
How stunning is our model Elon MelaninGoddessEfon – she told us it was one of the first times she had been asked to come to a shoot with her natural hair. 🌻
We worked with South African patternmaker Sarah Steenkamp of @FrenchNavyNow_ to create this wardrobe essential – the perfect puff-sleeve blouse. Raglan sleeves make it the ultimate beginner sew, plus the gorgeous back buttons let you add your own personal twist.
Pattern via the link in bio! 🪡
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Fabric: @Spoonflower
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“In the 1940’s, Norwegians made and wore red pointed hats with a tassel as a form of visual protest against Nazi occupation of their country. Within two years, the Nazis made these protest hats illegal and punishable by law to wear, make, or distribute. As purveyors of traditional craft, we felt it appropriate to revisit this design.”
Crafters have often been at the heart of many protest movements, often serving as a powerful means of political expression. @NeedleAndSkein, a yarn store in Minnesota, are helping to mobilise the craftivists of the world with a ‘Melt The Ice’ knitting pattern created by @Yarn_Cult (with a crochet pattern too), as a way of peaceful protest.
The proceeds from the $5 pattern will go to local immigrant aid organisations – or you can donate without buying the pattern.
Raise those needles, folks – art and craft can change the world. 🧶
Link in bio for the pattern.
Images: @Gather_Fiber @NeedleAndSkein @a2ina2 @KyraGiggles Sandi.204 @WhatTracyMakes AllieKnitsAway Auntabwi2
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TWO WEEKS TO GO! 🤩
"The most important shift is moving from volume-led buying to value-led curation – choosing fewer, better products with strong ethics, considered production and meaningful stories. Retailers have real influence here: what you buy signals what you stand for. At Life Instyle, this means using the event to discover and invest in small-scale, planet-considerate brands that align with your values and your customer’s conscience. Consumers don’t need more things; they need better things, and retailers play a key role in selecting, contextualising, and championing why those products matter."
Only two more weeks until @Life_Instyle – Australia`s leading boutique retail trade show. If you own a store, don`t miss this event! Connect with designers, source exquisite – and mindful – products, and see firsthand why this is Australia’s go-to trade show for creatives and retailers alike. And it`s free! ✨️
Life Instyle – Sydney/Eora Country
14-17 February 2026
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Photos: @Samsette
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Calling all sewists! 📞
Have you made the Peppermint Waratah Wrap Dress yet? Call *1800 I NEED THIS NOW to get making!
This gorgeous green number was modelled (and made) by the fabulous Lisa of @Tricky.Pockets 🙌🏼
If you need a nudge, @ePrintOnline are offering Peppermint sewists a huge 🌟 30% off ALL A0 printing 🌟 when you purchase the Special Release Waratah Wrap Dress pattern – how generous is that?!
Head to the link in bio now 📞
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8 Things to Know About January 26 - from @ClothingTheGaps:
Before you celebrate, take the time to learn the truth. January 26 is not a day of unity it’s a Day of Mourning and Survival for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
It marks the beginning of invasion, dispossession, and ongoing colonial violence. It’s time for truth-telling, not whitewashed history.
Stand in solidarity. Learn. Reflect. Act.
✊🏽 Blog written by Yorta Yorta woman Taneshia Atkinson.
🔗 Link in bio of @ClothingTheGaps to read the full blog
#ChangeTheDate #InvasionDay #SurvivalDay #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe #ClothingTheGaps
As the world careens towards AI seeping into our feeds, finds and even friend-zones, it`s becoming increasingly hard to ignore.
We just wanted to say that here at Peppermint, we are choosing to not print or publish AI-generated art, photos, words, videos or content.
Merriam-Webster’s human editors chose `slop` as the 2025 Word of the Year – they define it as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.” The problem is, as AI increases in quality, it`s becoming more and more difficult to ascertain what`s real and what`s not.
Let`s be clear here, AI absolutely has its place in science, in climate modelling, in medical breakthroughs, in many places... but not in replacing the work of artists, writers and creatives.
Can we guarantee that everything we publish is AI-free? Honestly, not really. We know we are not using it to create content, but we are also relying on the artists, makers and contributors we work with, as well as our advertisers, to supply imagery, artwork or words created by humans. AI features are also creeping into programs and apps too, making it difficult to navigate. But we will do our best to avoid it and make a stand for the artists and creatives who have had their work stolen and used to train AI machines, and those who are now losing work as they are replaced by this energy-sapping, environment-destroying magic wand.
Could using it help our productivity and bottom line? Sure. And as a small business in a difficult landscape, that`s a hard one to turn down. We know other publishers who use AI to write stories, create recipes, produce photo shoots... but this one is important to us.
`Touch grass` was also a Merriam-Webster Word of the Year. We`ll happily stick with that as a theme, thanks very much. 🌿
