Collection: Ghost Net Sculptures

Ghost net sculpture started a decade ago and Pormpuraaw was one of the pioneers of this genre. These sculptures focus on utilising recycled materials. We use wire and cable we find at the local tip and abandoned fish nets we find washed up on our beaches. The nets have been illegally discarded by commercial fishing vessels. When we find the nets they are filled with debris and dead fish. Ghost net art was unique to Aboriginal art and we saw it as an opportunity to do something different. Our people have a rich tradition of weaving, so ghost net sculpture fitted easily with our culture. The subject most depicted is our totems. Totems are the most important part of our culture. They form the basis for our stories and songlines.