TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 27 JULY 2023
Ghost net artwork on show at Townsville’s Ephemera STORY AND PICS BY ALF WILSON Waiben’s Tagai College and Erub Arts contributed to a ‘Ghost Net Collective Spiral’ entry which was amongst 31 Ephemera artworks holding pride of place along Townsville’s scenic Strand over the past week, and until Sunday 6 August. The Seaside Sculptures along the sea shore featured 30 new
artworks from Australia, Canada and the United States. The internationally recognised biennial competition has been running for 22 years and includes six non-competitive invited artists and 25 competitive artists. It was officially opened last Saturday when hundreds took part in a walk past. The Ghost Net Collective was led by Marion Gaemers and
Lynnette Griffiths. The Torres News spoke to Saibai Islander Cynthia Enosa who was there with her daughters Tarlena, aged 14, and Jondera, six. “I was involved in a community project on Saibai about this and ghost have a big impact on sea life,” she said. “It is good to see this here.” Former Cowboys and West Tigers NRL star Robert Lui was also there with family
members including his son Michael Lui, five, and baby niece Carrisa Backo, three months old. “Ghost nets affect sea life in Torres Strait waters and down here in Townsville,” Robert said. Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said Ephemera was a worldrenowned art exhibition that had helped shine a spotlight on Townsville for more than 20 years. “Ephemera attracts
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tens of thousands of visitors to The Strand every two years, providing an essential boost to Townsville’s economy,” Cr Hill said. “This free seaside exhibition is a drawcard not only for locals who gather along the foreshore to experience the Ephemera magic, but also for tourists who travel from far and wide to enjoy this outstanding display of public art.”
Robert Lui of Mer descent was there with family members including his son Michael Lui, five, and baby niece Carrisa Backo, three months. INSET: Saibai Islander Cynthia Enosa at the ghost net artwork with daughters Tarlena, 14, and Jondera, six.
Moa, Badu and Waiben art centres to benefit from strategic funding boost An investment boost is set help to strengthen Indigenous art centres, including those on Moa, Badu and Waiben, through the Backing Indigenous Art’s (BIA’s) strategic development fund. Each of Queensland’s 17 Indigenous Art Centres (IACs) could access up to $60,000 per annum for projects that foster business development and create new employment opportunities for artists and art workers. Moa Arts chair Solomon Booth said the new funding was important. “BIA funding is important because it
gives us the resources, we need to keep our culture strong and vibrant,” he said. “It helps us create economic opportunities for people in our community, build the skills we need and share our stories. “We take pride in our culture, in our stories, and in the work, we do to keep everyone strong. “The important thing about this investment is that it brings culture and economic opportunity together, and there is great strength in that for us. “It also lets us market our work and share it with audiences and buyers from across
the country and around the world.” Minister for Arts Leeanne Enoch said the funding would cover a range of initiatives including support for employment, training and mentoring opportunities for First Nations artists and arts workers in areas such as curation, governance, arts management, and product and market development. She said IACs could also seek support for the growth of digital strategies to promote transparent and ethical sales and market development for First Nations artists, and the creation of partnerships and collaborations that
support artistic and business development. “Indigenous Arts Centres are vibrant creative hubs within their communities, supporting local emerging and established artists and arts workers to create signature work and tell their unique stories through arts and cultural practices,” she said. “Investment of almost $2 million over three years will support Indigenous Art Centres to grow the careers of local First Nations artists and arts workers, facilitate the showcasing and selling of highquality artworks, and provide valuable cultural and community benefits.
“Art, culture and storytelling are central to the important work of truth-telling and healing, as we continue on the Path to Treaty in Queensland. “Fostering the growth of the IACs in Queensland delivers against the key priority of Creative Together 2020-2030 to elevate First Nation arts by creating positive longterm impacts for local artists and art workers and communities, strengthening the arts and cultural sector and their reputation as a tourism destination.” To find out more, visit: https://www.arts. qld.gov.au/backingindigenous-arts.
Solomon Booth. Pic supplied.
