The story behind the scene and the people who created it

A team of three local artists finished installing "Tides of Time" at the intersection of Cavenagh and Knuckey streets on Monday morning.

The project arrives as Darwin records its busiest July foot traffic in five years, driven by visitors heading to the Waterfront Precinct and the weekly Parap Markets. City data shows pedestrian counts along Cavenagh Street rose 18 percent between January and June this year, prompting the Darwin City Council to fast-track two additional public art commissions before the end of 2026.

The artists sourced timber frames from a supplier near the old wharf sheds and metal sheeting from a fabricator on Stuart Highway. They assembled the 12-panel structure inside a rented warehouse off Mitchell Street before transporting it in sections to the site. The Darwin Visual Arts Association provided storage space and basic tools during the final three weeks of construction.

From sketches to street level

Each panel depicts tidal patterns recorded at Fannie Bay over a 12-month period. One artist logged water levels twice daily at the same jetty for nine months while the other two translated those measurements into laser-cut shapes. The finished work stands 2.4 metres high and weighs 380 kilograms, secured with concrete footings installed by council contractors last week.

Installation costs reached $47,500, with $30,000 coming from an NT Arts Grant awarded in April. The remaining funds covered transport, lighting and a small launch event scheduled for 18 July at the same corner. Council records indicate the piece is expected to remain in place for at least three years before any maintenance review.

Next steps for visitors

Residents can view the installation any time from the footpath. Guided walks organised by the Darwin Visual Arts Association begin at 10am on the first Saturday of each month and cost $12 per person. Advance tickets are available through the association’s office on Smith Street.