Indigenous artists approach Australian PM for fund

Australia's indigenous artists have used the prime minister's trip to the Torres Strait Islands, which began on Monday, to make a direct appeal for funding to showcase their works in Monaco.

Prince Albert of Monaco II invited the Torres Strait Ghost-net artists to exhibit their art at the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco from April to September, 2016, local media reported on Thursday.

The artists collect discarded netting floating in the oceans to turn it into large-scale art installations.

The installations have been showcased in Canberra's Parliament House and museums across Australia.

Erub Arts director Lynnette Griffiths told local media that the project was as much about conservation as it was about art.

"The nets are killing massive amounts of large sea animals. The damage is phenomenal," Griffiths said.

"The artists believe they're saving the ocean one net at a time. "

Local media reported it would cost 350,000 Australian dollars ( 250,000 U.S. dollars) to send the six installations to Monaco, as part of a one million Australian dollar (714,549 U.S. dollar) exhibition to promote sustainable ocean management.

"There's only so many cake stalls you can have," said Maree Gonzo, the lady to gave the submission to Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

Gonzo added that fundraising opportunities were limited on the tiny island and the sale of the artwork couldn't cover travel costs. Endi