In one of Australia’s most remote capital cities – closer to five foreign capitals than to its own – art doesn’t just live inside the gallery walls; it is spread boldly across buildings, laneways, and city streets. This year, the Darwin Street Art Festival (DSAF) returns with some big names and some new programmed events, for the 9th year running!
Since its inception in 2017, DSAF has transformed Darwin into a tropical canvas of nearly 130 murals – roughly one for every 1,100 residents. It is now the only city in Australia with a mural on every major city street, and they’re about to add 25 more!
The DSAF prides itself on providing Darwin with vibrant, thought-provoking art that is accessible to all, and enabling and encouraging local artists to increase their skills and capacity.
Every year the program offers ‘come and try’ paint days, pop-up walls for emerging artists, and in 2025 DSAF have also collaborated with the Museum and Art Gallery of the NT to launch the EXIT Art collaboration, where one student from the Year 12 EXIT Art exhibition gets their work selected to paint a pop-up wall in the festival!
Featured artists in 2025 program include: US artists Ryan Yanoe and Eric Skotnes, Australian artists Minna Leunig, Neryl, Jasmine Crisp, George Goodnow and Aurora Campbell, and local artists such as Trent Lee, Jason Lee, Jesse Bell, Caleb Dude and Miss Polly – and even a curator of another street art fest – Vans the Omega, from the Big Picture Fest!
Highlights of the 2025 Darwin Street Art Festival (DSAF) program include:
- Double Exposure: a bold new outdoor projection exhibition taking place next month, on 14 June 2025, which highlights the power of visual storytelling, and features internationally celebrated artists Thandiwe Muriu (Kenya) and Atong Atem (Melbourne). A simultaneous projection in Nairobi, Kenya, supported by DFAT, will honour the 60-year diplomatic relationship between Australia and Kenya.
- A partnership with Top End Gin Festival to have artists live painting at their festival this weekend
- The ever-popular Off Cuts Exhibition in partnership with Don Whyte and Qubit gallery, opening on May 23rd and running for the length of the Festival
- An Artist talk at Bustard Town on 30 May with George Goodnow, Neryl Walker and Cyan Sue Lee, hosted by MC and artist Hannah Illingworth
- A collaboration with new local radio station Saltwater Radio to interview artists as they paint and create a living playlist
“Darwin has an incredible street art scene, and our tropical outdoor gallery now showcases works from artists across all corners of the globe. The way it has shaped our city is such a nod to the transformative power of art,” said Festival Director, David Collins.
“We’re proud to have 60 per cent local artists painting again in 2025, alongside some big names from across the globe. We never want to stop – we’re always trying to bring something new to the table, and the new DOUBLE EXPOSURE event on our program is going to be really exciting for Darwin.”
Darwin Street Art Festival (DSAF) takes place across Darwin City and suburbs from 24 May – 15 June 2025. For more information and full program, visit: www.darwinstreetartfestival.com.au for details.
Images: Jesse Bell painting a mural at Parap (Goyder Road), 2024 | Artwork by Thandiwe for DOUBLE EXPOSURE (supplied)
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
