Erub Arts: Torres Strait Island Art from Erub (Darnley Island), Queensland
Erub Arts was founded in 2009 on Erub (Darnley Island), the most north-eastern of the Torres Strait Islands, home to approximately 400 Erubam Le from four tribal groups. At the heart of Torres Strait spiritual life is the belief that islands, sea, sky, and all of nature possess a soul or spirit. That belief runs through everything made here. Erub's seafaring heritage includes traditions in elaborately carved and decorated canoes, carved objects, and intricately made dance costumes and weaponry. Historically, the island maintained strong trade links with Papua New Guinea to the north and Cape York to the south, and that tradition of cross-cultural exchange continues to shape the centre's practice today.
Erub Arts began working with ghost nets in 2010, starting practically with bags before developing into the large-scale collaborative installations the centre is now known for internationally. Ghost net art uses fishing nets that have been abandoned or lost at sea, reclaimed and woven into sculptures of marine animals found on the reefs and in the deep water surrounding Erub. The work carries a direct conservation message about ocean health. Ghost net works from Erub Arts are held in collections including the National Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of Victoria, the Australian Museum, the Australian National Maritime Museum, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Queensland Art Gallery, the Ethnographic Museum of Geneva, the Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia, and Parliament House Canberra, among others.
Alongside ghost net, the centre produces ceramics, screen printing, linocuts, and drawings on paper. The Ailan Pasin (island fashion) line designs and produces screen-printed and digitally printed fabrics for clothing and home furnishings, each piece telling island stories.
Erub Arts at a glance
- Location: Erub (Darnley Island), eastern Torres Strait, Queensland. PO Box 96, Darnley Island QLD 4875.
- Founded: 2009.
- People: Erubam Le, four tribal groups, approximately 400 people.
- Art Forms: Ghost net sculpture and installation, ceramics, screen printing, linocuts, drawings on paper, and Ailan Pasin fabric design.
- Collections: National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Victoria, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Queensland Art Gallery, Australian Museum, Australian National Maritime Museum, National Museum of Australia, Parliament House, and international institutions in Switzerland, Canada, and England.
- Access: Remote location in the eastern Torres Strait. Contact the art centre directly for visit enquiries.
