GhostNets Australia has been a regular presence at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair, but this year’s statement has eclipsed all the others in terms of vision and outcome.
 
Inspired by the theme of the 2011 CIAF, GhostNets Artists Cecile Willliams and WA Puppetry Artist Karen Hethey joined forces with Moa artists Angela Torenbeek, Frank Petero, and Georgia Curry to create a giant articulated crocodile.
 
Working against time with a frame constructed of Bamboo and Cane, the Croc took shape. Ghost net (fishing net that has been accidentally or deliberately discarded or lost at sea) collected off the Western Cape beaches by Mapoon Land and Sea Rangers and the Napranum Rangers, formed the skin of the giant puppet which spanned approximately 10 metres in length.

Scales were made out of various pieces of net woven with patterns by the hundreds of participants that were intrigued by the collaborative piece forming under the shade of a central tree and over the three days of the festival. These included kids from a local school, as well as stall holders from the festival and many of the thousands of people that passed through to enjoy the art and music affiliated with CIAF.
 
In addition to the GhostNets Australia team, a core group of artists from places as far afield as Moa, Erub and Hammond Island southwards to Melbourne help to make this vision a reality.

And what a reality! “You cannot underestimate the positive action gained by awareness raising though art events like this”. Said Riki Gunn, coordinator of GhostNets Australia who was clearly overawed by the result of this year’s CIAF.

“Outcomes for the small NGO from this event will have a fabulous ripple effect both locally and internationally“ she said keeping a tight lid on the specifics.

And so everyone can get involved. To help protect our oceans Tangaroa Blue Ocean Care Society is running two clean up events in September:

• September 11th – Cape Kimberley Clean Up – meeting at the Cape Kimberley beach access carpark at 10am; and
• September 25th – Snapper Island Clean Up – meeting at the Port Douglas Coast Guard at 8am.

To register for both events or for more information please email heidi@oceancare.org.au.