Dreaming Edition
IN THEIR WORDS
Q&A with Shilo McNamee & David Jones AF T E R PAY AUST RA L I A N FA S H ION W E E K 2 02 2
Shilo McNamee is the creative director of Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation (DAAFF), an organisation that showcases the contemporary fine art of more than 70 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Centres. DAAFF also brings us Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP), whose runway at Afterpay Australian Fashion Week (AAFW) made waves this year. Façon sat down with Shilo to discuss her important work.
What is DAAFF and what does it do? The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation is owned and run by its (Art Centre) members, and we exist to support our members by creating opportunities that aid in the preservation, protection and elevation of Indigenous culture. One of our signature events is The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair. It is the only national event of its kind, and has secured a reputation as the country’s most significant and internationally recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts event with 100 per cent of all sales generated by the event returned to Art Centres and their respective Indigenous communities. We also host the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) and the Country to Couture fashion show in Darwin.
How has the experience been so far at AAFW? AAFW has been an incredible experience for all of us; the five designersintheshowhavebeenabletogetsomewonderfulexposure for their work. This experience has also been amazing for me: I have come over to the fashion space as a visual artist, so I'm thrilled to have had such a wonderful opportunity to learn from other creative peers and apply my skills in a new space.
Which artists and designers should we be keeping our eye on?
I am really excited by the five Indigenous designers in t Kirrikin, by Wonnarua designer Amanda Healy; Liandra Sw by Yolngu designer Liandra Gaykamangu; Maara Collect Yuwaalaraay designer Julie Shaw; Native Swimwear, by Bi Ngarabal designer Natalie Cunningham; and Ngali, by Wir designer Denni Francisco. These five First Nations desi all actively growing their fashion brands as part of the IFP Pathways Program supported by David Jones. I feel really proud to be a part of their journey and see Indigenous people succeeding in can'twaittoseewhattheydonext!
What excites you when it comes to new art you have been seeing lately? I follow a lot of different contemporary artists on social media. I'm very inspired by the way people are fusing different types of traditional skills and processes together with digital media to create work that is totally unique and out of the ordinary!
