Larrakia Water Tank Art - Northern Territory

The Larrakia Water Tank Art is located on Berrimah Road, East Arm Point, Darwin. East Arm Point is 16.3km from the Darwin CBD via Tiger Brennan Drive. 

The water tank is inside the Vopak Fuel Terminal but can be clearly seen from the outside of the complex. It's only painted on one side and it sits right up against the outer fence, so there is no need to think about getting inside the terminal.

A sign near the water tank art reads:

The artwork identifies the Larrakia people as predominantly Saltwater people. It’s their belief that the various subjects in the painting, both marine and plant, spiritually complement the Red Kangaroo, Crocodile and Old Man Rock. They are of special significance to the East Arm area.

The bush medicine and marine food chain represent the deep spirituality of the artists, providing the way through culture, heritage and survival. In this chain of events, the Mangrove assumes huge importance, as a filtration system.

Saltwater and freshwater Larrakia have learned how to hunt for food and look for bush medicines, whilst keeping up the teaching of their children so that today’s youth will know how to share and care for each other. Stories are told and lessons learned, to understand how the system works.

Having at-risk youth on the site with the artists, reinforces the cultural inheritance of their young people, drawing attention to the dwindling resources caused by encroachment.

Artists & Youth

The mural was created and hand painted by Larrakia artists and youth from the Darwin region.

Danny Raymond, Jocelyn Archer, Dottie Fejo, Pauline Baban, Denise Quall, Yvonne Odegaard, Cyril Gaden, Mark Moreen, Titus Bishop, Dominick Bishop, Gerry Vixon, Juan Dingle, Shardai McInnes, Isobel Campbell, MichelleManado, aka The Tank Gang.

Supported by:

The project was supported by the Larrakia-Balarinji Partnership in Public Art and Environs Design and Express Signs, Darwin. Also Vopak, the owner & operator of the Darwin Industry Fuel Terminal, the NT Department of Planning and Infrastructure. The Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination through the Darwin Indigenous Coordination Centre, The Dept. of Health and Ageing and the Dept. of Employment and Workplace Relations.