Images(4)

Seu Mullet

Artist Jimmy Kenny Thaiday (1987)

Date2018

Object number00055271

NameSculpture

MediumGhost net (reclaimed fishing net and rope), polypropylene, rope and twine, plastic trellis

DimensionsOverall: 380 × 250 × 1460 mm, 880 g

ClassificationsArt

Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection purchased by the ANMM Foundation with the assistance of Sid Faithfull and Christine Sadler Program supporting Contemporary Indigenous Maritime Heritage in Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait

Terms

DescriptionAu Wiri (mullet) made by Erub artists Robert Billy, Solomon Charlie, Jimmy K Thaiday, Jimmy J Thaiday and Robert Oui from Darnley Island in the Torres Strait using ghost-net. Ghost-nets are nets discarded by fisherman at sea that continue to float, often entangling turtles, dugong and other marine animals, before washing up on the shore. In northern Australia where the problem is acute, local artists are using ghost-nets as a medium for highlighting the problem, creating stunning works of animals caught in the nets and works that reflect cultural stories and ways of life in the Torres Strait Islands. Two of five Seu Mullets made by Robert Billy, Solomon Charlie, Jimmy K Thaiday, Jimmy J Thaiday and Robert Oui, 00055270 - 00055274.History"Seu mullets are bigger than normal sized mullet here on Erub. These mullets can only be caught at Seu, which is a sand cay situated off Erub. These mullets were hunted by our forefathers during Ɵmes when they only had canoes and sails right up until our current generation with outboard motors. The Seu mullet is a prized fish to be speared by a hand held spear. During a specific time when the enau (wongai) is red and ripe, it signifies that the mullet is fat and the best time for eating." - Erub Erwer Meta Arts Centre, Erub Erwer Meta Torres Strait Islander Corporation.SignificanceUsing a cross-cultural and collaborative model Erub Arts is leading the way in large sculptural forms constructed using Ghost Net, producing woven, wrapped and twined statements about traditional and contemporary island life.