Five local artists selected by City of Darwin to help transform, promote busy Smith St

Five local artists have been selected to help transform a key CBD street. Find out who they are and what they have planned. PHOTOS.

Five local artists have been selected by the City of Darwin to help transform Smith St. Picture: City of Darwin

Sticks in the sand.

From a young age that was all Larrakia woman Denise Quall needed to fall in love with art.

Now, she and four other local artists will have their own murals displayed in the heart of Darwin.

“It gives you almost a personal stamp here,” Ms Quall, the artist of proposed road mural Hermit Hustle, said.

“It gives me a sense of belonging and shows how I and the rest of the community feel.”

Artist Denise Quall. Picture: City of Darwin

The five chosen artists were selected by the City of Darwin to help transform Smith St with works in the theme of ‘interconnection’.

A total of 29 local artists applied for the Streetscape project.

The selected artists – Ms Quall; Minna Leunig, creator of Humidity Rising; Lee Harrop, creator of the Foundation Stone; and Amina McConvell and Katy Moir, creators of Rest. Stop. – made the cut.

Artist Denise Quall and City of Darwin chief executive Simone Saunders at the announcement of the five artists responsible for Smith St' new transformation. Picture: City of Darwin

Selectors included Museum and Art Gallery NT senior curator Bryony Nainby, Outstation Gallery director Matt Ward, Charles Darwin University visual arts lecturer Sarah Pirrie, Garuwa Creative director and co-creator Genevieve Grieves, and independent artist CJ Fraser-Bell.

Construction is anticipated to commence soon with works expected to be completed by the end of July this year.

Larrakia woman Denise Quall's artwork. Picture: City of Darwin

Ms Quall’s artwork, titled Hermit Hustle, shows several colourful hermit crabs crossing a busy Smith St.

She said the artwork represented more than just crabs – often seen at various beaches in Darwin.

“Hermit crabs travel together … they hustle and bustle,” she said.

Larrakia woman Denise Quall's artwork. Picture: City of Darwin

“And the different colours represent the different cultures and people.

“So the mural represents us; I’ve been in Darwin for 70 years, it’s a part of me … this comes from the heart and hopefully puts a smile on people’s faces.”

Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis and Lee Harrop, one of five artists selected by the City of Darwin to transform Smith St. Picture: City of Darwin

Ms Harrop said it was a great opportunity.

“I wanted to highlight the foundations of Darwin, which is the earth beneath our feet,” she said.

“This is a no-brainer to me, it’s what connects us; we’re connected to the land, the streets, the memorials … it’s an amazing opportunity.”

Originally published as Five local artists selected by City of Darwin to help transform, promote busy Smith St