CAIRNS.- With deep sadness, the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) acknowledges the passing of Simone Arnol, an incredibly talented First Nations artist, designer, and former Manager of Yarrabah Art Centre, who passed away this month following a courageous battle with ovarian cancer.
A proud Gunggandji woman from Yarrabah, Simone’s work was deeply grounded in her connection to Country, culture and community. Her multidisciplinary practice spanned painting, photography, textiles, wearable art and fashion design, often incorporating sustainable materials and natural processes that reflected her philosophy of caring for Country and “keeping it grassroots while respecting the Elders, the keepers of Knowledge”.
Simone, alongside her partner and creative collaborator Bernard Singleton, played a pivotal role in shaping CIAF’s fashion program. She showcased her work in the CIAF Fashion Performance over multiple years and, together with Bernard, co-curated the program from 2018 to 2020, delivering a powerful and culturally resonant vision unapologetically embedded in identity, storytelling and connection to Country.
Simone’s career was marked by significant recognition. In 2024, she was awarded the National Indigenous Fashion Award for Fashion Designer of the Year, following earlier recognition for environmental and sustainable design, and was among the first Indigenous designers to feature at Australian Eco Fashion Week. In 2024, she and Bernard also received the CIAF People’s Choice Award for their Echoes photographic series, alongside Yarrabah Art Centre, which secured the Art Centre Award.
Even after her 2020 diagnosis, Simone continued to create, lead, and inspire, using her art to share stories, educate audiences, and celebrate culture.
Reflecting the artist’s enduring commitment to cultural storytelling, reclamation and regeneration, Simone’s creative contribution continues in 2026, with her work and collaborations set to feature across both the CIAF Fashion Performance and the Art Fair through YAKAL creatives and Yarrabah Art Centre.
CIAF Artistic Director Teho Ropeyarn said Simone’s contribution to the organisation and the broader arts sector would leave a lasting and deeply personal legacy.
“I had the privilege of working with Simone from the early days of her artistic journey, when she first began exhibiting and developing her practice, and to see that grow into the artist and designer she became,” Mr Ropeyarn said.
“Simone was a quiet force, deeply thoughtful, culturally grounded, and incredibly talented. Through her work with Bernard, she helped redefine what art and fashion could be within a cultural context, bringing story, Country and identity to the forefront in a way that resonated far beyond the event platform.
“She stayed true to her roots, her community and her culture in everything she created. Her generosity, strength and commitment to others will be remembered by all of us who had the privilege to work alongside her,” he said.
In a heartfelt message shared by her family on social media, Simone is being remembered as “a shining light” whose impact will continue to be carried forward in the lives she touched, a sentiment deeply felt across the CIAF community.
The CIAF Board, team, and wider artistic family extend their deepest condolences to Simone’s partner, Bernard Singleton; son, Zane; family; friends; and the Yarrabah community.
A service to celebrate Simone’s life will take place at 10 am on 1 April at Tanks Arts Centre. Further details will be shared with the community.
