PAINT THE TOWN LOUD
Darwin’s walls have always had stories to tell, but for the past decade, they’ve been speaking louder than ever.
WORDS BROOKE GIBBS
IMAGE CHARLIE BLISS
THIS YEAR MARKS the 10th edition of Darwin Street Art Festival (DSAF), a milestone moment for a project that has transformed the city into an open-air gallery. What began as a bold idea from Proper Creative Director David Collins, has grown into one of the Northern Territory’s most recognisable cultural events, drawing artists, locals and visitors into laneways, carparks and unexpected corners of the CBD.
Collins says Darwin is where he learned to love art and learned how to paint. Surrounded by buildings, he always dreamt of painting them.
“Communities have embraced it, and it’s become part of Darwin’s identity,” says Collins.
“It started off as a revitalised city project and now, when you talk about Darwin, it’s part of what you do when you come here. We really needed that colour.”
Over the years, DSAF has delivered more than 1500 large-scale works across the city, turning blank walls into landmarks and helping shape Darwin’s visual identity. From bold portraits to intricate abstract pieces, each mural adds another layer to the city’s evolving story.
For its 10th edition, the festival isn’t just looking forward – it’s taking a moment to reflect, particularly on the influence from Broadcaster and Artist Ivor Cole.
“Cole paved the way for more spaces to be opened up in the city for people to paint graffiti and mural art,” says Collins.
“He was an early supporter of this art form.”
This year’s program leans into that connection, with a mix of returning artists. Expect live painting sessions where you can watch murals come to life in real time, artist talks that unpack the stories behind the works, and interactive workshops designed to bring the community into the creative process.
To celebrate its 10th edition, the Northern Centre for Contemporary Art hosts a public exhibition, MARKED: Tracing Modern Murals and Graffiti Culture in the Northern Territory, that documents the history of modern murals and graffiti across the NT.
Off Cuts, one of Darwin’s favourite community art exhibitions, also returns as DSAF teams up yet again with Chapman & Bailey and Qubit to host the 20th edition of Off Cuts.
There’s a renewed focus on showcasing Northern Territory talent. For local artist Caleb Dude, that impact is real.
“I started with DSAF when I was in Year 12, and I was able to meet other artists across the globe, which is the most important thing,” he says.
“It’s a really fun time. I love doing paintings, but the culture the DSAF team creates makes me excited to do it again. It’s also about the creative license DSAF gives you where you’re not catering to a brand identity like if you were painting a mural in a cafe.”
That visibility is especially important in a place like the Territory, where distance can often be a barrier to national exposure.
“It shows me that it is possible and I can contribute to my city, while rubbing shoulders with people who have made it work. It inspires me to keep going,” Dude says.
With 70 percent of local artists involved, Collins says the festival has given Darwin artists more exposure for their work to be seen.
“We’ve had local artists go on to paint at festivals overseas and interstate, which puts us on the map as a destination and a place where artists come from,” he says.
“We wanted it to build capacity and we wanted to share Darwin artists’ skills and stories with the world.”
That’s perhaps the festival’s greatest strength – its ability to balance global influence with local identity. While interstate and international artists bring fresh perspectives, the heart of DSAF remains firmly rooted in Darwin.
As the city shifts and grows, so too do its walls – each mural capturing a moment in time, a voice, a feeling.
10 years in, DSAF isn’t just an event – it’s a living archive of Darwin’s creative spirit. So next time you’re wandering the streets, look up. The gallery’s bigger than you think.
Darwin Street Art Festival
WHEN UNTIL FRI 5 JUN
INFO darwinstreetartfestival.com.au
