Ghost Net Art from Pormpuraaw
The western shore of Cape York suffers more impact from ghost net than any other place in Australia.
The artists use the ghost net works to draw attention to the environmental hazard created by floating plastic debris. Many artists at the art centre create works based on their totems.
In 2014, the Australian Museum acquired works from the art centre by artists Sid Bruce Short Joe, Simon Norman and Elliot Koonutta, as well as four lino prints by Sid Bruce Short Joe. The sculptural works are now on display in our exhibition Garrigarang: Sea Country.
“Recycling those little wires, recycling the ghost net, instead of just throwing it out…. we like to recycle. Everything that they throw at the tip we used to go and collect. The rangers are doing fine bringing in more ghost nets. Especially after monsoon, it’s all over the beach. So we recycle it” – Sid Bruce Short Joe (Pormpuraaw Art Centre) 2014
