Darwin, the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory, offers a vibrant artistic journey where street murals and Indigenous art intertwine to create a city alive with culture and history. Leading this creative transformation is artist David Collins, director of the Darwin Street Art Festival (DSAF). Since 2017, DSAF has brought new life to neglected city walls, resulting in over 130 large-scale murals. One notable laneway, once derelict and used as a loading zone, is now covered with 21 murals, sparking the development of nearby bars, restaurants, and event spaces.
Despite having a modest population of around 140,000, Darwin has become a cultural hotspot. Tourists often visit for its natural wonders, such as Litchfield National Park and the Territory Wildlife Park, but the city’s thriving art scene is increasingly drawing attention. The street art festival, held this year from May 24 to June 15, democratizes access to art and invites everyone to engage, no matter their background. Murals featuring augmented reality and the DSAF app enhance the interactive experience.
Many of the murals celebrate Indigenous culture. Highlights include The Multi Dimensional Man, a portrait of Indigenous guide Hilton Garnarradj by Peter Seaton, and a seven-storey mural of Shaniqua, a transgender woman from the Tiwi Islands, painted by Kaff-eine. Another moving tribute is a mural of Gurrumul Yunupingu, a blind musician who became the best-selling Indigenous Australian artist before his death in 2017.
Indigenous art is deeply rooted in the Northern Territory, where one-third of the population is Indigenous. As the world’s oldest continuous art tradition, dating back 60,000 years, it encompasses dot painting, bark painting, weaving, and carvings. Without a written language, Indigenous Australians have passed down stories and knowledge through these forms for generations.
Visitors can explore this heritage at the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (August 7–10), which connects over 70 Indigenous-owned art centres with collectors. Darwin’s Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (Magnt) also showcases thousands of Indigenous artworks, including bark paintings nearly a century old.
A short drive away, Kakadu National Park offers both modern galleries like Marrawuddi and ancient rock art sites. These natural canvases served as storytelling tools for survival and spiritual practice, with Victor Cooper’s guided tours providing deep insight into this enduring legacy.
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