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There was a time when Perth’s central business district seemed completely devoid of colour and character.
However, thanks to efforts by the City of Perth, a flourishing street art scene has revitalised the urban landscape. There are now hundreds of commissioned works by local and international artists on display, and it’s fair to say that Western Australia’s capital boasts some of the best public art in the country.
Seek out these ten amazing pieces of Perth street art during your visit.
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Top 10 Things to Do in PERTH, Western Australia in 2026 | Ultimate Perth Travel Guide
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1. Spanda
Fondly known locally as ‘the paperclip’, Spanda is the unmissable 29-metre-high sculpture located on The Landing at Elizabeth Quay. The artwork by West Australian-born, internationally renowned artist Christian de Vietri was created to welcome visitors to the redeveloped Quay precinct when it opened in 2016. Meaning ‘divine vibration’ in Sanskrit (the language of Hindu philosophy), Spanda represents ripples linking the Swan River, the land and the sky.
2. First Contact
Also to be found at Elizabeth Quay, First Contact is the cast aluminium artwork of respected Noongar artist Laurel Nannup. Standing five metres tall, with wings outstretched, Nannup’s bird sculpture was inspired by the First People’s belief that the sailing ships of the early European settlers were the spirits of returned ancestors, which had taken the form of giant floating birds.
3. Wolf Lane murals
Hidden behind the big-name designer stores on fashionable King Street, Wolf Lane is an urban art lover’s oasis, comprising a handful of small bars, quirky cafes and some of Perth’s best street art. Gaze up at a patchwork of colour by Maya Hayuk from New York, or see the giant seahorse by Puerto Rican artist Alexis Diaz. Originally commissioned in 2014 by arts organisation Form, here you’ll also find murals by local legends such as Stormie Mills and Hurben.
4. Connectus
Connectus is a light installation suspended above a laneway in the Kings Square retail precinct. It was designed by Sydney artist Warren Langley to interact with its surrounding environment. The 110-metre ribbon of light, which represents the interconnectedness of city life, shifts subtly — from pale yellow during the day, to shades of red at night — reflecting the predominant colours of the wider Western Australian landscape. The installation can change in appearance from moment to moment depending on the conditions.
5. Wirin
Created for the 2018 opening of Yagan Square (the vibrant entertainment hub named in honour of courageous Noongar leader, Yagan), Wirin is a striking nine-metre-high sculpture of an Aboriginal figure. Meaning ‘spirit’ in Noongar language, ‘Wirin represents the eternal sacred force of creative power that connects all life on earth’ says its sculptor, Noongar artist Lance Chadd (Tjyllyungoo). As well as a meeting place for the people of Perth, Yagan Square serves as a reminder of the city’s Indigenous heritage and culture.
6. Grow Your Own
Grow Your Own by Perth-born, New York-based artist James Angus, who often works on an industrial scale, is hard to miss. The bright green sculpture positioned in Forrest Place has been likened to a giant cactus and was the result of Perth’s largest ever public art commissioning a decade ago. The work was inspired by the early organic farming movement. ‘The title asks that people make a visible commitment to where they live and the other people who live there’, says Angus, whose work is held by nearly every major gallery across the country.
7. Water Labyrinth
Stay in Forrest Place to see a sculpture of a different kind, and one that’s a hit on hot days with kids (and even adults) of all ages. Created for the precinct’s redevelopment in 2012, renowned Danish artist Jeppe Hein’s $1.3 million interactive water sculpture Water Labyrinth is a series of nine ‘rooms’, formed temporarily when jets of recycled water shoot into the air. Hein’s work often draws on the sharp angles and geometric planes of 1970s minimalism, but this installation successfully softens the hard lines of the surrounding city.
8. Delight and Hurt Not
Perhaps not so well-known, Delight and Hurt Not is the name of the elegant, almost neoclassical-style ink-pen-on-ceiling artwork at the stunning City of Perth Library. A whimsical re-telling of the end of Shakespeare’s The Tempest by West Australian artist Andrew Nicholls, the work incorporates 65 of the state’s threatened plant species and 12 of its endangered animals. You can view the mural from three different levels of the soaring, circular building.
9. The Arch
Inspired by, and created for one of her favourite areas in Perth, Lorenna Grant’s The Arch was erected for the opening of the Northbridge Piazza in 2009. The metal work, a shimmering chain-like connection of angular links, is located at the intersection of Lake and James Streets. Grant, whose aim was to connect all facets of the entertainment precinct that surrounds the piazza, says ‘I’m really proud to have a work that tries to show that, with all our sharp edges, we are still trying to do the best we can, we’re still stepping out.’
10. Neon murals, Pier Street laneway
Finally, be brave and venture down Pier Street laneway in the CBD’s East, where a collection of three pieces by local street artist Drew Straker, aka the ‘Muralist’ are hiding. Commissioned in 2018 by Historic Heart of Perth Inc (a not-for-profit community organisation dedicated to revitalising the city’s East End), the works take on the appearance of 3D neon lights. Straker is renowned for having pioneered this painted effect.
For more travel inspiration, visit www.destinationperth.com.au.
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Additional images: Bigstock
About the writer
Bonita Grima is a Perth-based freelance travel writer with a background in television and radio production. She believes that travel has the power to challenge, inspire, and educate us, and encourage empathy by providing a window into the worlds of others. When not working on a story, you’ll find Bonita at the beach, on a hiking trail, drinking great coffee, discovering what’s new around town, and dreaming up her next big adventure!
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