Turn a corner in the always interesting Cairns Regional Art Gallery and you wonder if you should have had a rabies shot before entering . There are three mangy, possibly flea ridden mutts eyeing you up and down . It comes as a great relief to discover that they are made from recycled pieces of ghost nets , wire , fishing line and paint, even a rubber thong .
They are the work of Cairns born Sue Ryan , a North Queensland based artist and arts worker in mediums ranging from painting , print making and sculpture , who has worked with Indigenous artists from the Cape York region , helping them to develop and promote their art internationally .
They are the work of Cairns born Sue Ryan , a North Queensland based artist and arts worker in mediums ranging from painting , print making and sculpture , who has worked with Indigenous artists from the Cape York region , helping them to develop and promote their art internationally .
The menacing dog showing its fangs is entitled Spirit Bitch,2013 .The others are named Sitting Dog and obviously , Dog Scratching .
Ms Ryan managed the Lockhart River Art Centre from 2001-2007 and investigated the potential for developing art works from ghost netting discarded from fishing boats. Later she took on the position as director Ghost Nets Australia and continues to work with communities in the area .
