Tidal Reflections
Hand-painted artworks on urban furniture along the Nightcliff and Rapid Creek foreshore, created by Arts Access Darwin’s Free Space Studio.
Read More Tidal Reflections is a vibrant series of public artworks painted onto concrete tables along the Rapid Creek foreshore. The designs reference the ocean and mangrove habitats. The project was delivered over two stages — in 2023 and 2025 — and coordinated by Arts Access Darwin. Free Space Studio is a long-running program that supports and provides workshops for local artists with disability.
Hand-painted artworks on urban furniture along the Nightcliff and Rapid Creek foreshore, created by Arts Access Darwin’s Free Space Studio.
Tidal Reflections is a vibrant series of public artworks painted onto concrete tables along the Rapid Creek foreshore. The designs reference the ocean and mangrove habitats. The project was delivered over two stages — in 2023 and 2025 — and coordinated by Arts Access Darwin. Free Space Studio is a long-running program that supports and provides workshops for local artists with disability.
Responding to a shared theme and colour palette, Tidal Reflections showcases the artists’ distinct visual styles, creating a connected series of artworks across the urban furniture.
The first artwork in 2023 was located on the Rapid Creek foreshore opposite the Beachfront Hotel and made possible through a City of Darwin Community Grant. The second series in 2025 included two concrete picnic tables and one bench seat base near Kite Surfers Corner on the Nightcliff Foreshore. This second project was delivered as part of the Darwin Street Art Festival, supported by City of Darwin and Darwin Community Arts.
City of Darwin and Arts Access Darwin have collaborated on many projects in Nightcliff, Rapid Creek and Jingili with the Free Space Studio collective. Arts Access Darwin facilitates the development of collaborative artworks, with design elements contributed by each artist.
Free Space Studio | DSAF25 Artists
Meet the Artists
The Free Space Studio program involves a group of 18 local artists from culturally diverse backgrounds with disability. More than half of the group are First Nations artists from across the Northern Territory who are based in Darwin to access disability support.
The Free Space Studio artists are:
Tara Darcy (Yolŋu/Maningrida), Rosita Jabinmarra (Yolŋu/Maningrida), Annie Moors (Yolŋu/Milingimbi), John Milikens (Yolŋu/Maningrida), William Mareko (Torres Strait), Warren Garrawitja (Yolŋu/Milingimbi), Manoli Lafazanis, Samantha Callaghan, Leigh Zarimis, Abigail Marralngurra (Kiyuk), Roger Yambeing (Nauiyu), Steven Conway, Angelique Martin, Donovan Mota (Jawoyn/Torres Strait), Mark Cavanagh, Molly Kroes, and Chiara Gagliardo.
Visit Arts Access Darwin at Darwin Community Arts: Arts Access Darwin
Photographer: Charlie Bliss Creative
