Lethal marine debris transformed to celebration of tropical Queensland fish
Richard Dinnen - Queensland Editor |
They’re the deadliest thing in Queensland’s Gulf of Carpentaria, drifting on the currents, catching and killing sea creatures on an enormous scale.
They’re ghost nets, abandoned, or discarded from commercial fishing vessels across south-east Asia, and they’re a major threat to marine life.
But salvaged ghost nets are being transformed into beautiful art, celebrating the very creatures to which they are such a profound threat.
Cairns airport has unveiled a display of sculptures made from salvaged ghost nets by Indigenous artists from the Pormpuraaw Art and Culture Centre on western Cape York.
Artists Mavis Ngok Thaathunpum Benjamin, Mylene Holroyd, Christine Holroyd, Alma Norman, Kim Norman, Marlene Norman, and Syd Bruce Shortjoe, created sculptures representing barramundi, coral trout, red lion fish, potato cod, surgeon fish, and Moorish idol.
Syd Bruce Shortjoe said ghost nets cause enormous damage in his home country at Pormpuraaw and all around the Gulf of Carpentaria.
“It’s all about ghost nets, something that’s never been disposed properly.
“When they throw it overboard, it will drift during high tide or monsoon, constantly killing more marine life. We’ve got nets all over our beaches, with dead fish.
“It takes time to clean it, then to recycle. This is what we do.”
Indigenous communities and ranger groups around the Gulf of Carpentaria have been working for decades to retrieve and remove ghost nets.
Many communities turn them into much sought-after art works, that are also a powerful way to raise awareness of this major environmental problem.
Since 2004, GhostNets Australia has played a leading role, lobbying governments, removing ghost nets, rescuing sea turtles and other marine creatures, and supporting Indigenous ranger groups.
Pormpuraaw Art and Culture Centre manager, Paul Jakubowski, said the sculptures are key to highlighting the vital role Traditional Owners and artists have in protecting endangered marine life.
“Pormpuraaw is honoured to share their art and culture in this way. For the community, who are a saltwater people, this art work is very special because it celebrates their living oceans.
The sculptures were made in the first public art commissioning project in a collaboration between Cairns Airport and Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF).
Cairns Airport CEO, Richard Barker, said the sculptures will be a popular addition for locals and visitors.
“Showcasing this amazing artwork in our terminal sets the tone for tourists visiting our region and recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture as one of the most unique and important elements of living and holidaying in far north Queensland.”
Newly appointed CIAF Artistic Director, Francoise Lane, said the project has great economic value to artists in remote Indigenous communities.
“In working together with Cairns Airport, we are well placed to achieve great things for our artists and indeed, everyone who converges in Cairns, not just for our annual event, but all year round.”
