A competition to find a mural design for a blank wall at a public housing complex has come to a close, after a successful social media campaign.

The Department of Housing and Community Development is pleased to announce Polly Johnstone’s entry depicting a woman in tropical foliage will be featured on the Pitcheneder complex, in Parap.

Artists were asked to put forward a submission which embodied the spirit of the Northern Territory.

In her submission, Polly said she took into consideration the location of the complex.

“When I think about Parap, I think of the markets and the beautiful food and flowers that you can buy there, and the people that you find in the Northern Territory,” she said.

It was one of ten submissions received in a week by Northern Territory artists. Three finalists were then selected for the public to vote.

In a little more than three days, Polly’s artwork received 569 likes.

This was ahead of Jason Lee’s representation of multiculturalism and unity in the Northern Territory, which received 301 likes, and Carla Russo’s colourful jabiru with 274 likes.

The winner was the post with the most likes.

This is a new initiative of the department, and Acting Executive Director, Jason Randall said he is excited by the response.

“We had some very creative and diverse submissions by local artists, who really put a lot of thought into the subject – we’re very thankful for that effort,” he said.

“The response and the feedback we have received from the public has been fantastic.  It’s been great to see the interest in this project.”

Once this project is finalised, the department will assess whether a similar competition will be held for other areas.

Work is expected to begin on the mural next month.

END

Caption: Polly Johnstone’s proposal has won the popular vote, and will be painted on a blank wall at the Pitcheneder complex in Parap.

Media contact:

Sueanne McCumstie, Media Manager

M: 0427 915 108

E: sueanne.mccumstie@nt.gov.au