Supporting First Nations Artists at the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair and Country to Couture 2026

Arts North West continues its commitment to creating national opportunities for First Nations artists by supporting regional participation in two of Australia's most significant Aboriginal arts and fashion events: the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) and Country to Couture, held on Larrakia Country.

In partnership with the Aboriginal Regional Arts Alliance (ARAA), Arts North West supports Gomeroi artist Tania Hartigan to participate as a featured artist at the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair 2026. Through this partnership, Tania's work is presented alongside Aboriginal artists from across regional New South Wales, providing an opportunity to showcase her artistic practice to collectors, curators, galleries and audiences from across Australia and internationally. The partnership reinforces Arts North West's commitment to supporting Aboriginal artists to access new markets, strengthen professional networks and build sustainable creative careers.

Separately, Arts North West supports its Aboriginal Arts Officer, Robbie Hartigan, to further develop his Aboriginal-owned fashion label Marayn Menswear through participation in Country to Couture, Australia's premier Indigenous fashion runway. As part of this support, Arts North West assists Robbie and his mentors to participate in the event, recognising the importance of professional development, industry networking and national exposure for emerging First Nations fashion businesses.

Founded by Gomeroi artist Robbie Hartigan, Marayn Menswear is a regional New South Wales fashion label built on four core values: inclusivity, First Nations artwork, environmental responsibility and Australian-made sustainability. The business is committed to protecting Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP), ensuring artists retain ownership of their cultural stories while providing royalties from every garment sold directly to the contributing First Nations artists and their communities. Marayn Menswear also provides an important platform for South-East Aboriginal artists whose cultural connections have been disrupted through colonisation, creating opportunities to celebrate identity, culture and Country through contemporary fashion.

At Country to Couture, Marayn Menswear presents its new collection, Scorched Lines, featuring collaborative works by Cassie Fisher-Patterson, Jo-Anne Barr, Kerri-Ann Taggart and Tania Hartigan. The collection explores the environmental and social impacts of natural disasters through First Nations perspectives. Each artist interprets their connection to Country through themes of drought, bushfire, resilience and renewal, creating a powerful contemporary fashion collection grounded in storytelling, culture and environmental awareness.

By supporting Tania Hartigan's participation in the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair through its partnership with ARAA, and Robbie Hartigan's participation in Country to Couture, Arts North West demonstrates its commitment to nurturing Aboriginal creative careers across multiple artforms. These opportunities strengthen regional representation at nationally significant events, expand professional networks and celebrate the innovation, resilience and cultural leadership of First Nations creatives from the New England North West while showcasing the region's rich Aboriginal artistic talent on a national stage.