Australian Street Awards 2024: Four Northern Territory artists, works, win major accolades

They are the unmissable, giant pieces of art that grace towns across the Northern Territory – and now artists and works from Katherine and Darwin have been recognised on the national stage.

Adante Mural in Darwin has was awarded Best External Mural Silver Award. Picture: Supplied.

Territorian street art is among Australia’s finest, with four major accolades awarded to some of the Top End’s incredible murals.

On Friday, the 2023 Australian Street Art Awards were announced, with seven Territorian finalists – including five from Katherine – previously receiving nominations.

In Darwin, the large mural ‘ADNATE – Jace and Kacia King’, created by Matt Adnate, was awarded Best External Mural Silver Award.

Adante Mural in Darwin. Picture: Supplied.

The Best Rural Art Silver Award went to the Katherine Power Substation Murals, painted by Jesse Bell.

The country’s most northerly festival, the Darwin Street Art Awards, took home the Best Street Art Festival or Event Bronze Award after its 23 added murals in the event’s last outing.

Finally, the Katherine Art Trail was awarded the Best Street Art Trailer Bronze Award.

The Katherine Power Substation Murals are popular additions to the Top End town. Picture: Supplied.

Awards co-director, Liz Rivers, said the awards would make the nation’s regional locations more attractive.

“These art experiences contribute significantly to making Australia a more vibrant, creative and interesting country – somewhere visitors want to explore more keenly,” she said.

“Smart communities promote their outdoor art, and outdoor art events, as a unique experience – an attraction that visitors can see in only place, and that makes their destination immediately identifiable, highly attractive and a drawcard for art-loving tourists.”

Darwin Airport’s water tower was in step with the 2023 Darwin Street Art Awards. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Rivers said promoting outdoor art gave communities more bang for their buck.

“Investing in outdoor art as an attraction mechanism also makes economic sense as art is typically less expensive to create than more traditional tourism attractions while the pay-off is handsome.”

The showcasing of Territory talent follows the recognition of Darwin local David Collins last month who received a fellowship by the Winston Churchill Trust for his efforts in art and youth work.

Territorian art lovers have May 18 to look forward to, when the Darwin Street Art Festival will kick off.