Ghost-nets are the discarded nets of fishing trawlers which float through the oceans, entwining sea life. The extent of devastation caused by ghost-nets has only recently come to light in Australia through the success of ghost net weaving by A&TSI artists from Tropical North Queensland. The decimation of sea life by ghost-nets upsets ecosystems and food sustainability for both sea life and humans.Traditional Owners have ingeniously taken something destructive, causing detriment to their sea territories and fashioned it into sculptures with a powerful statement: survival. Ghost-net weaving is an emerging art medium for contemporary Indigenous Australian artists and primarily hails from the Cape York Peninsula and Torres Strait Island regions; although this particular arts practice is practiced across coastal Australia. Opportunities resulting from the Australia: Defending the Oceans project has both strengthened and forged new & existing pathways for the artists to reinforce their efforts to safeguard the environment on the world stage. Through their art practice the participating artists have started a movement within their home communities. The artworks, while intricate and awe inspiring on scale, are also the final product of hard work and tireless ambition to preserve their way of life and their totem animals. Audiences of the project's numerous exhibitions will be able to learn from those on the front-line of coral reef protection and the battle to curb pollution.
For more information on ghost-nets relating to the project click here and go to the Arts d'Australie website! For more information on ghost-nets in general and its history click here and go to the GhostNets Australia website!