We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art stands and recognise the creative contribution First Australians make to the art and culture of this country.
Mahnah Angela Torenbeek / Wagalgal people / Australia b.1942 / Ghost net basket 2011 / Woven reclaimed acrylic fishing net / 11 x 24cm (diam.) / Purchased 2011 with funds from Thomas Bradley through the Queensland Art Gallery Foundation / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Mahnah Angela Torenbeek
Mahnah Angela TorenbeekGhost net basket 2011
Not Currently on Display
A ghost net is a massive fishing net abandoned at sea. Carried through the world’s oceans by tides and currents, these nets trap and destroy whatever lies in their path. They are a tremendous threat to marine life and make commercial and private boating very dangerous. Their introduction as a new artistic medium, along with a coordinated support program to raise awareness of the ghost net problem, has led to a revival of weaving in the Torres Strait. Local sea rangers now retrieve these nets for artists who are using durable fabric to make attractive bags, baskets and soft sculptures.
In her ghost net baskets, Mahnah Angela Torenbeek uses a technique where she shapes a ghost net length over a solid object such as a fishing float, saucepan or bowl, adding texture and colour as she builds.
Mahnah Angela Torenbeek, born on Moa Island in the Torres Strait, is of both Torres Strait and South Pacific heritage. Her baskets are made from ghost nets – large fishing nets abandoned at sea.
The sinister nets travel the world’s oceans carried by the tides and currents and indiscriminately entrap and destroy whatever lies in their path. This includes not only threatened species, but also undersized and protected fish, important turtle species and large mammals. The introduction of this new material is encouraging a weaving revival in the Torres Strait, with artists making traditional styles and also inventing new forms.