This September, Darwin city will be transformed into a technicoloured streetscape with the return of the Darwin Street Art Festival, a government funded initiative engaging local, national and international artists to create powerful large-scale murals on some of the city’s best-known buildings.

Across ten days, from September 6-16, Territorians, tourists and everyone in between can meander through the streets of Darwin’s inner city and watch artists bring 12 buildings to life. Weekend activities will include drop-in art workshops and family entertainment, as well as a host of local shops, cafes, restaurants and bars to explore.

A special mural of Dr G Yunupingu (Gurrumul), in collaboration with his family and endorsed by Skinnyfish Music, will headline this year’s Darwin Street Art Festival, in recognition of the artist’s extraordinary life, music and achievements.

Seven of Darwin’s best street artists have been selected to produce original murals alongside artists from interstate and abroad, each painting a vibrant scene of their choice. Previous works have exhibited iconic Northern Territory sights including wildlife, Indigenous art and tropical designs.

Celebrated LA-based street artist ELLE has been invited to add her signature flair to the local mix. From humble beginnings as an illegal street artist in New York, ELLE is now shaking things up in Los Angeles with her evocative, alluring and provocative works. ELLE has been featured in VOGUE and has collaborated with brands such as Reebok and the Guess Foundation, Lyft, Vice, Etnia Barcelona, Smart Car, MR Robot TV, Iceland Airwaves and TNT Entertainment.

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Among the list of this year’s Australian artists are Carla Russo, Polly Johnstone, Ryan Medlicott, Jason Lee (Choplee), Vincent Poke, Reice Ranson, Jesse Bell, Georgia Rose, Sole Veins, Phine, Shaun Lee, CTO and lawyer turned street artist, Kaff-eine.

Last year saw jaw dropping collaborations between Australian street artists, with Les Huddleston and Melbourne-based artist Cam Scale producing a striking mural of a blue brolga bird stretching over 10 metres high. (Image attached)

The murals will be painted in an area bound by Austin Lane, Bennett Street, West Lane and Knuckey Street in central Darwin. The public are encouraged to visit the site over the ten days of the festival, as artists bring the streets of Darwin to life, one can of paint at a time.

darwinstreetartfestival.com.au/  

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