Click to enlarge- Region
- Unknown / Unspecified
Torres Straight Island Fish Trap
53 x 17cm
- Artwork story
- The Melanesian people of the Torres Strait Islands have a unique culture, completely different from those of the neighbouring Aborigines. They were a fierce warrior people and lived from the bounty of the sea. This is obvious in their dances, featuring fishing implements such as fish scoops like this example, and headdresses with shark motives, among others. Their craft, like the dancing costumes of the Saibai islanders and feather headdresses are works of art and the skills used to make them have been passed on down the centuries to the present day.