SEA RIGHTS: Politics, lore and custom
‘Gone Fishing’
Waterways and seas are important resources that have sustained communities for millennia and carry important stories of creation. In the last century, the ‘ownership’ of such parcels of water — and the resources found within and below them — have been debated. Artworks within this room respond to current discussions around rising and warming seawaters, destruction of cultural sites, water contamination and Traditional Owners’ struggle to have the power under Native Title law to care for their Sea Country.
![© Alick Tipoti](/system/files/styles/wide/private/object-images/2007.036_001_4.jpg?itok=lDXCsVog)
A series of sculptural works by Gail Mabo, daughter of Native Title activist Eddie Koiki Mabo (1936–92), refer to the maps her father made to form the basis of his famous landmark claim over Mer (Murray Island) in Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait Islands), which opened the door for other claims to be granted. In Wadth, Zigin ar Kusikus 2005, artist Alick Tipoti shares important cultural stories of a neighbouring island in the region, clearly affirming his family’s ongoing connection to Country — one of the many criteria for successful recognition of Native Title for communities across the continent.
Conversely, instances of large-scale pollution and destruction are examined in Judy Watson’s bloom 2009 (referring to blooming algae) and Quandamooka artist Megan Cope’s RE FORMATION 2016–19, which critiques early colonists’ extraction of lime from historic middens (towering, centuries-old mounds of discarded shellfish and molluscs) to use as building materials in early Brisbane City.
![Megan Cope / Quandamooka people / Australia, b.1982 / RE FORMATION 2016-19 / Cast-concrete oyster shells, copper slag / 12,000+ pieces: installed dimensions variable / Purchased 2019 with funds from the Contemporary Patrons through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Accession No: 2019.160a- / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art / © Megan Cope An installation view that appears as a large midden of white shells piled in front of a white gallery wall, in a corner.](/system/files/styles/wide/private/2023-04/GOMA_Water_installationview_20191204_nharth_008%20%281%29.jpg?itok=5v0A0I9F)
The celebrated Palawa necklace-making tradition of Lutruwita (Tasmania) is under current environmental pressure, as coveted green mariner shells become scarce due to warming waters. In this display, Pakana artist Andrew Gall’s 3D-printed porcelain and resin shells provide an option to artists who are no longer able to access these traditional materials. Here, they are shown with their natural material counterparts, made by senior women who have maintained this intricate weaving technique through teaching new generations.
Objects included in ‘Sea rights’:
![The artists Artwork Yalangbara this artwork made of Natural pigments on eucalyptus bark, created in 1955-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2003.138_002_3.jpg?itok=SyB62fw6)
Yalangbara c.1960
- MARIKA, Mawalan 1 - Artist
- MARIKA, Wandjuk - Artist
- GANAMBARR, Larrtjanga - Artist
- MARIKA, Nurryurrngu - Artist
- GANAMBARR, Mowarra - Artist
- GURRUWIWI, Mithinarri - Artist
- DHAMARRANDJI, Gungguyama - Artist
- YUNUPINGU, Munggurruwuy - Artist
![Megan Cope Artwork RE FORMATION this artwork made of Cast-concrete oyster shells, copper slag, created in 2016-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/GOMA_Water_installationview_20191204_nharth_008_3.jpg?itok=3Cc10Rkg)
RE FORMATION 2016-19
- COPE, Megan - Creator
![Fiona Foley Artwork The Oyster Fishermen #1 this artwork made of Inkjet print on Hahnemühle paper, created in 2011-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2012.405_001_3.jpg?itok=tRkYnO7S)
The Oyster Fishermen #1 2011
- FOLEY, Fiona - Creator
![Fiona Foley Artwork The Oyster Fishermen #3 this artwork made of Inkjet print on Hahnemühle paper, created in 2011-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2012.406_001_4.jpg?itok=O59n6RIq)
The Oyster Fishermen #3 2011
- FOLEY, Fiona - Creator
![Fiona Foley Artwork The Oyster Fishermen #9 this artwork made of Inkjet print on Hahnemühle paper, created in 2011-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2012.407_001_3.jpg?itok=Kz884mHH)
The Oyster Fishermen #9 2011
- FOLEY, Fiona - Creator
![Fiona Foley Artwork The Oyster Fishermen #10 this artwork made of Inkjet print on Hahnemühle paper, created in 2011-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2012.408_001_3.jpg?itok=hYwzqx6d)
The Oyster Fishermen #10 2011
- FOLEY, Fiona - Creator
![Fiona Foley Artwork The Oyster Fishermen #11 this artwork made of Inkjet print on Hahnemühle paper, created in 2011-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2012.409_001_4.jpg?itok=VYgrxize)
The Oyster Fishermen #11 2011
- FOLEY, Fiona - Creator
![Fiona Foley Artwork The Oyster Fishermen #13 this artwork made of Inkjet print on Hahnemühle paper, created in 2011-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2012.410_001_4.jpg?itok=bFG41FZL)
The Oyster Fishermen #13 2011
- FOLEY, Fiona - Creator
![Fiona Foley Artwork The Oyster Fishermen #15 this artwork made of Inkjet print on Hahnemühle paper, created in 2011-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2012.411_001_3.jpg?itok=uU5E-CIV)
The Oyster Fishermen #15 2011
- FOLEY, Fiona - Creator
![Fiona Foley Artwork The Oyster Fishermen #16 this artwork made of Inkjet print on Hahnemühle paper, created in 2011-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2012.412_001_4.jpg?itok=VYVzYOyo)
The Oyster Fishermen #16 2011
- FOLEY, Fiona - Creator
![Lola Greeno Artwork Green maireener necklace this artwork made of Green maireener shells threaded with double strength quilting thread, created in 2007-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2008.087_001_3.jpg?itok=Y9gqSBq1)
Green maireener necklace 2007
- GREENO, Lola - Creator
![© Gail Mabo Artwork Tagai this artwork made of Bamboo, twine, seashells, created in 2018-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2018.001_001_5.jpg?itok=akVDVUtr)
Tagai 2018
- MABO, Gail - Creator
![© Gail Mabo Artwork Mabo Case 1 this artwork made of Bamboo, twine, seashells, created in 2018-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2018.002_001_4.jpg?itok=zRkTjlAH)
Mabo Case 1 2018
- MABO, Gail - Creator
![© Gail Mabo Artwork Mabo Case 2 this artwork made of Bamboo, twine, seashells, created in 2018-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2018.003_001_4.jpg?itok=jdkO29Ed)
Mabo Case 2 2018
- MABO, Gail - Creator
![© Gail Mabo Artwork Zenadth Kes this artwork made of Bamboo, twine, seashells, created in 2018-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2018.004_001_4.jpg?itok=myOaLBtk)
Zenadth Kes 2018
- MABO, Gail - Creator
![© Alick Tipoti Artwork Wadth, Zigin ar Kusikus this artwork made of Linocut on paper, created in 2005-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2007.036_001_4.jpg?itok=fXE-B_TN)
Wadth, Zigin ar Kusikus 2005
- TIPOTI, Alick - Creator
![Artwork bloom this artwork made of Pigment, pastel and synthetic polymer paint on canvas, created in 2009-01-01](/system/files/styles/large/private/object-images/2011.003_001_AMW_0.jpg?itok=vxqzHroX)
bloom 2009
- WATSON, Judy - Creator