2021 WINNERS
BEST
OF THE BEST
SWELL SCULPTURE FESTIVAL
GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND
More info below.
This piece: "Damien Hirst Looking for Sharks"
by Cool Shit.
Best External Mural
GOLD WINNER
Wind Dance, Kingston SE SA
Kingston District Council has turned ashes into art with the design and installation of the first augmented reality public mural in South Australia. ‘Wind Dance’, which was commissioned in the wake of a devastating bushfire that tore through the community in late 2019, not only commemorates that event, but captures the personality of Kingston SE and feature’s themes that acknowledge nature, Aboriginal culture, and coastal lifestyle. A lasting and poignant monument that has created incredible economic reward through increased visitation.
SILVER: 2 Kool 4 Skool, Lightning Ridge NSW
BRONZE: Kaff-Eine and Mimmim, Darwin NT
Best Landmark Sculpture
GOLD WINNER
Accessible Cuttlefish Throne, Whyalla SA
He’s the Accessible Cuttlefish Throne affectionately known as Craig, and was created by artist Karen Carr, affectionately known as Squashed Cocky. Craig celebrates Whyalla’s marine ecosystem and their world famous annual giant cuttlefish aggregation while making a space for people of all abilities. This amazing sculpture has seen many hundreds of hours of artists and community effort, and sits near Whyalla’s iconic circular jetty, providing a place to sit and enjoy the Spencer Gulf.
SILVER: Stanley - The Big Bird, Lightning Ridge NSW
BRONZE: Pelicans on Patrol, Yeppoon QLD
Best Street Art Trail
GOLD WINNER
Heesco Town, Yarram VIC
As some destinations curled into a foetal position when COVID hit Yarram in Victoria's Gippsland pulled up its socks, strapped on its thinking cap and began planning a whole new future. They turned to art as a secret weapon, adopting Heesco Khosnaran to transform their entire town. In late 2021 Heesco completed the 24th and final mural on this incredible street art trail.
SILVER: The Horsepower Highway, Gnowangerup WA
BRONZE: Maryborough Mural Trail, Fraser Coast QLD
Best Street Art Laneway (NEW)
GOLD WINNER
Fifth Lane Street Art, Mackay QLD
The project started with a small group of local artists wanting to beautify one of the major laneways in the heart of Mackay. The original idea of brightening up the walls developed into an engaging creative space full of murals, paste-ups, digital and community art all fused with augmented reality technology. The artworks were all inspired by Mackay’s spectacular nature, wildlife and iconic local elements or experiences and created by a team of 16 local and five visiting artists.
SILVER: Memorial Plaza Interactive Murals, Corowa NSW
BRONZE: Shadforth Lane, Darwin NT
Best Sculpture Park or Trail
GOLD WINNER
The Horsepower Highway, Gnowangerup WA
Tricked-up tractors never looked so good. This 75-kilometre trail through Gnowangerup in WA showcases local history, flora, fauna and people, all set in the rural environment as you approach the magnificent Stirling Range National Park. It is one of Australia's most beautiful drives now made even better. The sculpture trail has been established, and is now being promoted, entirely by local volunteers keen to share their part of the world - with the world!
SILVER: Coral Greenhouse (MOUA), Townsville QLD
BRONZE: Australian Age of Dinosaurs, Winton QLD
Best Entrance Art (NEW)
GOLD WINNER
Gunimidjina Gwala Daraniki, Darwin NT
Badjirgirri Kulumbirigin Country, Welcome to Larrakia Country, home to people of the Dangalaba (crocodile) Clan. This dynamic entrance art, called 'Gunimidjina Gwala Daraniki', greets you from Saltwater Country, and is an artwork that contains deep spiritual connections to the land. Larrakia woman Denise Quall is a multidisciplinary artist. Her inspiration for the mural comes from her Mother’s Country and family totems shared with her brother and cultural advisor, Tibby Quall. The colours of the mural represent the natural ochres of Saltwater Country, colours found in the rocks and cliff face around Darwin where Denise was born, grew up and lives today.
Best Monument or Memorial
GOLD WINNER
Vincent Lingiari Memorial, Darwin NT
This mural is a memorial and celebration of the Life of Vincent Lingiari, painted by local Darwin artist Jesse Bell. Created as part of the Darwin Street Art Festival to coincide with the (COVID delayed) annual celebration of Territory Day, the mural honours Vincent’s pivotal role in Aboriginal, and therefore, human rights. Included in the mural is the Wave Hill Walk Off, Paul Kelly’s tribute song "From Little Things Big Thing Grow" and the symbolic moment when Gough Whitlam poured sand into Vincent's hands.
SILVER: Mongolian Light Horsemen Mural, Yarram VIC
BRONZE: Lynn Fuller Memorial, Lonsdale SA
Best Rural Art
GOLD WINNER
The Horsepower Highway, Gnowangerup WA
The Horsepower Highway is a permanent art trail, exhibited along a 75-kilometre "outdoor gallery" that truly honours it's subject. The collection of tractor instalments - each supported by a relevant local story – is complemented by sculptures, murals, and metal-cut panels. Running through Gnowangerup in southern Western Australia, the rural art was created by GNP 360 community group and has turned an already scenic drive to the magnificent Stirling Ranges National Park into a must-see adventure.
SILVER: Southern YP Water Tower Mural Trail, Yorke Peninsula SA
BRONZE: Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Mural, Gunnedah NSW
Best Mega Mural
GOLD WINNER
Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Mural, Gunnedah NSW
The striking portrait depicting legendary Australian poet, Dorothea Mackellar, together with the second verse of her iconic poem, "My Country", is complemented by the rural scene of early 20th century wheat harvesting. The Gunnedah mural by Heesco supports the Dorothea Mackellar Memorial Society's desire to strengthen ties between Dorothea's family, once owners of the local property "Kurrumbede", and the Gunnedah community.
SILVER: Walgett (Jimmy Little) Water Tower Mural, Walgett NSW
Best Street Art Festival or Event
SWELL Sculpture Festival, Gold Coast QLD
The 2021 SWELL festival showcased 50 large-scale contemporary sculptures set amongst the natural landscape of Currumbin Beach, on the Gold Coast. Another 15 were installed elsewhere on the Gold Coast. As Queensland’s largest sculpture event, SWELL offered visitors the opportunity to experience awe-inspiring sculptures by local, national and international artists. Set right on the sand, the annual creative celebration includes a range of unique experiences, including guided twilight walks, artist talks next to the sculptures and artist led workshops. This sculpture: 'The Spiral of Life' by Melissa Carey
SILVER: Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe WA
BRONZE: Chalk the Walk Newcastle NSW
Best Street Art Tour (NEW)
Frankston Street Art Walking Tour, Frankston VIC
A canvas for some of the world’s best street artists, Frankston City is now an iconic art and culture destination in Victoria. Fuelled by the annual Big Picture Fest, the City is home to 40 amazing murals, each an epic display of colour, creativity and movement; the art has been has been pivotal to the city’s perceptual and physical transformation. The Street Art Walking Tours create a tangible experience to support residents and visitors to celebrate the street art and encourage them to explore the city’s unexpected delights. A deep dive through laneways and streets to learn about the unique and inspiring artworks, the tours following the Inner City Street Art Trail which was a Finalist in the 2019 Australian Street Art Awards.. This mural artist: SMUG