Smith Street Streetscape improvements

Five local artists have been selected to help transform the heart of the city centre through City of Darwin’s Smith Street Streetscape project.

After a competitive expression of interest process, five talented artists have been selected by an independent panel. The artists selected are Denise Quall, Minna Leunig, Lee Harrop, Amina McConvell and Katy Moir.

Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said he was thrilled with the quality of artists selected.

The artists and work that will be featured include:

• Hermit Hustle - road mural (Smith Street and Searcy Street intersection), created by Denise Quall - Denise Quall is a Larrakia woman who has lived in Darwin her entire life. Her dreaming is the Danagalaba - the saltwater crocodile and her totem is Nagandji Nagandji, the Brahminy Kite - Sea Eagle. Hermit Hustle highlights the importance of community cooperation and features a playful and imaginative scene of hermit crabs crossing the street, offering a fresh perspective on the everyday hustle and bustle of life.
  
  
• Foundation Stone - mobility hub installation (Smith Street and Edmunds Street intersection), created by Lee Harrop – Lee Harrop is an ecologically-oriented artist who was awarded a PhD at Charles Darwin University and has a Master of Fine Arts. Foundation Stone draws attention to the geological material used in its creation, Mt Bundey granite, exploited in the construction of Darwin City roads, footpaths, building facades, flooring and furnishings.
  
  
• Rest. Stop. - seating nodes (at various locations down Smith Street), created by Amina McConvell and Katy Moir – Amina McConvell and Katy Moir’s collaboration is based on their intersecting visual arts practices and shared aesthetics. Katy has an architectural background, and Amina has a fine arts background. Both artists work with the language of abstraction and geometric conceptualism. In this work Amina and Katy have fused the functionality of street furniture objects into a sculptural installation. Their artwork uses geometric shapes and patterns to create colourful passages and places of connection for pedestrians.
  
  
• Humidity Rising - road mural (Smith Street and Edmunds Street intersection), created by Minna Leunig - Minna Leung is a visual artist living and working on the traditional lands of the Larrakia people in Darwin. Painting both on canvas and large-scale public murals, Minna creates wild and playful images inspired by the unique beauty of native Australian landscapes. Humidity Rising is a playful depiction of Larrakia country and a celebration of the unique and diverse Australian ecosystems.

The EOI’s were selected by an independent assessment panel, consisting of six members with creative expertise, including MAGNT’s Senior Curator, Bryony Nainby; Outstation Gallery Director, Matt Ward and Garawa Creative Director and Co-Creator, Genevieve Grieves.

The Smith Street Streetscape project is a further commitment towards City of Darwin and the NT Government’s common vision for Darwin’s future as a liveable and tropical capital city.

Minna LeungDenise QuallKaty MoirLee Harrop

Smith Street Streetscape improvements project update

In June 2024, City of Darwin sought community feedback on upgrading one of Darwin city's busiest streets.

In light of your feedback, Council gave the project the green light to go to detailed design.

The project will deliver additional greening; improved pedestrian and active transport access; and enhancements made to amenity.

We're now getting ready for the construction phase and will be seeking a proponent to come on board for construction.

We'll continue to share information and exciting updates about the project as it progresses in the New Year.

Construction is anticipated to commence in March 2025 with works expected to be completed by the end of June 2025.

The project is funded by the Northern Territory Government and delivered by City of Darwin.

• Survey sentiment was positive and in support of upgrading the space.
• Greening, shading and cooling were listed as the top design priority.
• Of the two concept options, the majority of respondents preferred the Concept 2 design.