MUSEUM MACAN X AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY: ‘GHOST NETS: AWAKENING THE DRIFTING GIANTS’

Images courtesy of Museum Macan

Museum Macan: 19 May – 4 June 2023

Museum Macan and the Australian Embassy Indonesia present the Ghost Nets: Awakening the Drifting Giants, an exhibition by the artist collective Erub Arts. Featuring 18 hand-woven sculptures made from discarded fishing nets (ghost nets) created by Torres Strait Islander artist collective.

As the first contemporary Australian exhibition of its kind in Indonesia, this unique exhibition showcases Torres Strait Islander contemporary art and creates a platform to explore a range of shared environmental challenges, including plastic waste reduction and marine conservation.

Presented by Melandas Indonesia

Inspired by the oceans that connect Australia and Indonesia, this unique exhibition showcases Torres Strait Islander contemporary art and creates a platform to explore a range of shared environmental challenges, including plastic waste reduction and marine conservation.

“Featuring vibrant schools of fish, sea turtles, and a family of giant manta rays, this sculpture collection combines Torres Strait Islander culture, contemporary art, and environmental advocacy,” said Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Penny Williams PSM.

Lavinia Ketchell of Erub Arts with students from Madrasah Tsanawiyah Yasda

“The repurposing of these fishing nets not only gives a second life to discarded plastics, it also sparks discussion around ways we can all contribute to plastic waste reduction and become better custodians of our oceans,” she said.

School workshop with Madrasah Tsanawiyah Yasda

Supported by Qantas Airways, Ghost Nets: Awakening the Drifting Giants will be on show at Museum Macan until 4 June 2023, before travelling to Bali.

“We are very happy to work with the Australian Embassy to bring this important initiative to Indonesia, to share the creative work of Erub Arts and the culture of the Erubam Torres Strait Islanders artist collective with our audience,” said Aaron Seeto, Director of Museum Macan.

School workshop with Madrasah Tsanawiyah Yasda

Supporting the exhibition, the Australian Embassy Jakarta and Museum Macan will also hold a series of educational workshops and artist talks led by Jimmy John Thaiday and Lavinia Ketchell of Erub Arts.

Lavinia Ketchell and Jimmy John Thaiday of Erub Arts