Proud deep link to north
THE NEW GENERAL MANAGER OF THE CAIRNS INDIGENOUS ART FAIR HOPES ENFORCED PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS WILL DEEPEN APPRECIATION OF THE ARTS AS WE ADJUST TO A SLOWER LIFESTYLE,
DARRELL Harris is fiercely pro-north Queensland.
With his great-grandmother and mother’s lineage coming from the Mitakoodi nation in the mid-west of the state and his father’s side descending from Cardwell, there could never be any misunderstanding where his allegiances lie.
And, an impressive background in banking and arts administration makes the devoted family man the perfect fit for the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair general manager’s role which he recently took on.
Mr Harris’s solid and respected career started in 1980 when he commenced work at CBC Bank in Townsville.
“When I was at school, there was a video or TV program on the banking industry and I wanted to join,” he said.
“My sister got a job in the ANZ bank when I was still in school. When I left school, I applied to one bank but they said I was not suited, so I applied at CBC Bank – that was where the taxi drivers (my dad was one) banked.
“Then in 1990, I got out of it into (the) non-profit sector. The principles and work ethics sort of carried through. It was handy having the ability to advocate for other people who were a bit timid to ask for a bank loan.”
The Edmonton resident said he decided on a change when he applied for a position as business manager at UMI Arts more than a decade ago.
“During that time, I progressed from the business registry to an executive officer role, then I went to Yarrabah to work in (the) arts and culture precinct there and the opportunity arose with CIAF for the general manager position,” Mr Harris recalled.
“In saying that, I probably sat around the original meetings back 11 years ago when CIAF was first being thought about and developed. In my roles, I always supported CIAF.
“It’s been strongly and widely supported in our industry by the arts centre alliance and individual artists.
“It is original. We want to extend the footprint of CIAF up in Queensland and try to take it national, then global.
“Having an art fair provides the opportunity for individuals to get to art markets and have performing arts and fashion as part of that. I don’t think other art fairs have that complete package.”
At the gateway of two spectacularly unique cultures, Far North Queensland is the perfect place for such an iconic art event as CIAF, which this year will be held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’ve got the Torres Strait
DARRELL HARRIS’S SOLID AND RESPECTED CAREER STARTED IN 1980 WHEN HE COMMENCED WORK AT CBC BANK IN TOWNSVILLE.
Islander culture and the Aboriginal culture which is strongly embedded in the Far North,” Mr Harris said.
“Our artists are unique and have their own different styles. Most of our artists like to draw country and animals.
“The industry is always growing. In some forms, the COVID-19 pandemic will stall artists from working, but at the same time, it will only grow our culture much more strongly.
“Like (CIAF artistic director) Janina (Harding) said, the pandemic is getting people reconnecting again back home and going back out on country; doing those things that for a long period of time we haven’t done.
“We’ve all lived in the fast lane for a number of years.
“I think in general, the arts industry needs you to stop and listen and be a bit humble and understand what their problems are and try to help.
“Another lesson I’ve learned in life is to get up and have a go, try to make things work. That way you feel like you have achieved it if you’ve done it yourself.”
Married for 40 years and with four children and 13 grandchildren, family life is at the centre of Mr Harris’s existence and something he said was his biggest achievement.
A rugby league fan, Mr Harris is also a life member of the Southern Suburbs club and played for some time after moving to Cairns, before being roped into administration roles with the sporting group.
A passionate Cowboys supporter, Mr Harris said he’d “never barrack for anyone who didn’t come out of north Queensland”.
His time in Yarrabah and the friendships with local artists Philomena Yateman, Rueben and Edna Ambrum, Valmai Pollard and Eric Orcher meant the pieces of art he received from them are some of his most treasured possessions.
I THINK IN GENERAL, THE ARTS INDUSTRY NEEDS YOU TO STOP AND LISTEN AND BE A BIT HUMBLE
AND UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR PROBLEMS ARE AND TRY TO HELP DARRELL HARRIS