Ghost islands as ecological intervention

Abstract

Ghost Islands (2018–2021) is an environmental art research project that confronts the devastating impact of discarded fishing gear or 'ghost nets' on marine ecosystems. Through sculptural installations, exhibitions, and community engagement, the project exposes the hidden scale of pollution in the sea while fostering dialogue with coastal populations. The project debuted at the 2018 Thailand Biennale in Krabi, where a bamboo structure woven with 300 kgs of reclaimed ghost nets visualised the pervasive yet often invisible threat of marine waste. Drawing on Timothy Morton's theory of hyperobjects (things or phenomena so vast in space and time that they are beyond human comprehension), the installation represented the overwhelming presence of anthropogenic debris in aquatic environments. Over three years (2018-2021), Ghost Islands expanded into a multidisciplinary research investigation and iterations across Thailand, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Seoul, and New York, blending ecological critique with cultural storytelling. A pivotal collaboration with Thailand's sea gypsy community (a semi-nomadic Austronesian people from the Mergui and the Surin Islands). Deepened the project's scope, integrating Indigenous knowledge and documenting how traditional livelihoods intersect with environmental decline. This shift redirected the project's focus from ecological damage to resilience, adaptation, and artisanal innovation in the face of crisis. By merging art, design, and anthropology, Ghost Islands demonstrates how research and creative practices can amplify environmental awareness while proposing regenerative futures through its evolving constructions. The project advocates for a symbiotic approach to ecological discourse – one where artistic intervention and community wisdom converge to address planetary emergencies. Ultimately, it challenges audiences to reconsider humanity's relationship with the sea, urging collective responsibility and sustainable cohabitation.