Janette Murrungun
Janette Murrungun
Ngalaligi - Turtle shell
39 x 98 x 57, Ghost net, pandanus, aluminium and paint, 2022
“This is my own ocean story. Ghost nets just wash up on the beach. We find them, clean them, wash them and then dry it and strip them into little pieces" - Janette Murrungun.
This work by Janette Murrungun is a contemporary reimagining of traditional knowledge, form, and ecological memory. Crafted from natural fibres, ghost net, and vibrant threads, the piece takes the shape of a turtle shell - a powerful symbol of resilience, navigation, and ancestral wisdom.
Each triangular panel tells a fragment of a larger story. From the blue waters inhabited by turtles to the ochre earth and woven lines echoing bush structures, Janette integrates environmental materials and cultural iconography to create a sculptural map of connection - between sea and land, old ways and newthreats. The use of ghost net (discarded fishing line) reflects ongoing concerns about marine pollution, especially its deadly impact on turtles and sea life.
Janette Murrungun’s homeland is Rocky Point near Numbulwar. Janette is daughter of artist Mawungumain Nundhirribala, who taught her how to weave. Janette is an experienced weaver with both pandanus and ghost net materials. She is also an expert harvester, holding deep knowledge around sourcing plants for string-making, natural dyeing and traditional weaving practices. Janette is an artist and arts worker at Numbulwar Numburindi Arts, and a board member of Numburindi Corporation.