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Ghostnet art in northern Australia

The techniques used to make ghostnet works come from the fields of net mending, basketry, sewing and sculpture. Some artists have drawn on the cross-stitch embroidery and crochet techniques introduced by missionaries in the 1930s.

Knives, scissors, Stanley knives and wire cutters make it possible to cut the nets into pieces. Needles are then used to sew the twine; in some cases, several pieces of net are first sewn together.

The smallest works require just a wire frame while the largest and most complicated are crafted on a metal frame.

Turtle caught in a fishing net abandoned on an Erub Island beach
Photograph by Jane Dermer, 2006
©GhostNets Australia

Nancy Naawi and Florence Gutchen making ghostnet works
Photograph by Lynnette Griffiths, 2015
© Erub Arts

Creating the Ged Nor Beizam shark
Photograph by Lynnette Griffiths, 2015
© Erub Arts