2022 Australian Street Art Awards winners announced

Winners of the 2022 Australian Street Art Awards were announced at a presentation on Queensland's Sunshine Coast on February 10.

29 public art experiences were honoured by the Tourism Awards for Public Art program, including 11 Gold award winners in 12 categories.

The Best of the Best award went to Dyipni - Da King of Da Road - a tractor that has been transformed into a vibrant tribute to the homeland of 14 Filipino artists who are living in Western Australia's agricultural heartland. The installation also took out the Best Landmark Sculpture category. It forms part of The Horsepower Highway - a collection of agricultural-inspired artworks located along the road approaching Western Australia's famous Stirling Range National Park.

Another big winner on the night was Illuminart's Quorn Silo Light Show, which claimed Gold in the Best Mega Mural category. The free nightly light spectacular shares animated stories about the surrounding Flinders Ranges, including the area's history, wildlife and culture.

Illuminart founder and artistic director Cindi Drennan was also a big winner, taking out the second annual Outstanding Contribution to Australian Art Tourism Award.

Violet Town's Southern Aurora Memorial took out Gold in the best Monument or Memorial category.

The memorial reflects on the Southern Aurora passenger train crash, which took place just outside the town in February of 1969, resulting in nine deaths and 117 injuries.

Its beautiful gardens use art and design to share stories which deal with the tragedy and the bravery of those who responded at the scene on the day.

Awards director Liz Rivers said all 29 winners had made significant contributions to the nation, making it a more vibrant and creative country which is more exciting for visitors to explore.

"Smart communities promote their street and outdoor art as a unique landmark - an attraction that visitors can see in only one place, and that makes their destination immediately identifiable, highly attractive and a drawcard for art-loving tourists," Ms Rivers said.

Gold winners for 2022 were:

Best of the Best and Best Landmark Sculpture: Dyipni: Da King of Da Road - Various artists, The Horsepower Highway, Western Australia

Best Entrance Art: The Last Lion - Sophi Odling and Christina Huynh, Burwood Chinatown Precinct Project, Sydney NSW

Best External Mural: Sanctum - Andrew Bourke and Jesse Bell, Darwin Northern Territory

Best Mega Mural: Quorn Silo Light Show - Illuminart,Southern Flinders Ranges, South Australia

Best Monument or Memorial: Southern Aurora Memorial - Tim Bowtell, Lach Cummings and Chris Mann, Violet Town, Victoria

Best Rural Art: Bute Silo Art - Scott Nagy and Krimsone, Top of the Yorke, South Australia

Best Sculpture Park or Trail: Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail - Various artists, Greater Port Macquarie NSW

Best Street Art Festival or Event: SWELL Sculpture Festival 2022, Various artists, Gold Coast, Queensland

Best Street Art Laneway: Banna Lane, Various artists, Griffith NSW

Best Street Art Tour: Frankston Street Art Walking Tours, Various artists, Frankston Victoria

Best Street Art Trail: Tongala Street Art Trail - Tongala volunteer artists, Goulburn Valley, Victoria

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