Artists

Melissa Ladkin

Bio  /  CV

Melissa Ladkin Bio  Melissa is a contemporary Aboriginal artist living on Bundjalung country, Northern NSW. A proud descendant of the Awabakal / Wonnarua / Bundjalung peoples, Mel has been caring for country most of her life.  From a young age, Mel experienced a deep and intuitive connection to the land. She felt the earth speak to her and was moved by the richness and depth of the colours that form the many ochres she has come across over time.  For the past 30 + years Mel has worked in the bush, with native plants, trees & their habitats as a land conservationist and has always been fascinated with geology, rocks, minerals and soils.  Working specifically with ochre, the careful and respectful collection to the processing is a significant and alchemical process, they are slowly blended and formed into pigment for painting.  This is a very personal journey, a time of deep connection and acknowledgement of all that have come before her. Mel’s collection of artworks has evolved with much thought, care and respect. Her practice speaks of an ancient wisdom, and she hopes her work will inspire others to open to the spirit of the land and to the rich culture and knowledge that it holds.  Artist Statement My practice represents the multi-layered history of our people and our intrinsic connection to country. I have been caring for country most of my life and have a reciprocal relationship with the land. This practice has brought me closer to the heart of our ancient land and shares old stories & wisdom. Ochres are living, sentient beings, filled with energy & spirit and hold a knowing that is learned over deep time. I acknowledge and honour the connection that my people and all traditional owners have to this ancient medium. I respect & understand that each different nation/clan/family group has its own history, traditional cultural practices, protocols and spiritual beliefs to ochres. These ochre stories are the palette of my cultural expression and I hope they can evoke and resonate with your own connection to country and how you walk upon it.   

 EXHIBITIONS 

Precious Commodities – Solo Exhibition, Ninbella Art Gallery, December 2020 

Heal Country – Group Exhibition, Bunyarra Collective, July 2021 

Terambamba – Rising Ground, Ninbella Art Gallery, November 2021 

Yapang Art Prize – Finalist, MAC Museum of Art & Culture, December 2021 

Perspectives on Country – Group Exhibition, Ninbella Art Gallery April 2022 

Lethbridge Landscape – Finalist Salon des refusés online Art Prize 2022 

Balmy – Group Show, Gallery Raye, April 2022 

Wild Pigment Project – Group Show, Form & Concept Gallery Santa Fe, New Mexico September 2022 

PRIZES 

MAC Museum of Art & Culture – Finalist Yapang Emerging Art Prize 2021 

Lethbridge Landscape – Finalist Salon des refusés Art Prize 2022 

COMMISSIONS 

Byron Bay High School, 2021; Ivan Motley – Informed Decisions, 2021; NAIDOC Week 

Fundraiser Auction, 2021; Bunyarra Collective, 2021; Morgan via Ninbella, 2021; Joan 

Hazlett, 2021; Miche via Ninbella, 2021; Chet & Michelle Pullen via Ninbella, 2021; Elle 

Davidson Zion Management, 2022 

WORKSHOPS 

Connecting With Country Through Ochre, Culture Camp The Returning, From 2020 

Paint With Ochre, Arts Northern Rivers, Lismore Regional Gallery, February 2021 

Ochre Workshop, The Returning, November 2020 

Painting With Ochre, Naidoc Week, Byron Bay High School, July 2020/June 2019 

PRESENTATIONS 

Caring for Country, Byron Bay High School, March 2021 

How to care for Country Byron Bay High School, Naidoc 2021 

How to care for Country, Byron Bay Primary School. Naidoc 2020 

MEMBERSHIPS 

Northern Rivers Creative 

The Indigenous Art Code 

The Aboriginal Art Association of Australia 

Committee Member & Secretary of NPWS for The Advisory Board Northern Rivers Region 

Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW, 2008-2018 

Committee Member of ATSI Board, Byron Bay Primary School, 2007-2015 Byron Bay High School, 2016-2021 

WORKSHOPS 

Connecting With Country Through Ochre, Culture Camp The Returning, From 2020 

Paint With Ochre, Arts Northern Rivers, Lismore Regional Gallery, February 2021 

Ochre Workshop, The Returning, November 2020 

Painting With Ochre, Naidoc Week, Byron Bay High School, July 2020/June 2019 

PRESENTATIONS 

Caring for Country, Byron Bay High School, March 2021 

How to care for Country Byron Bay High School, Naidoc 2021 

How to care for Country, Byron Bay Primary School. Naidoc 2020 

MEMBERSHIPS 

Northern Rivers Creative 

The Indigenous Art Code 

The Aboriginal Art Association of Australia 

Committee Member & Secretary of NPWS for The Advisory Board Northern Rivers Region 

Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW, 2008-2018 

Committee Member of ATSI Board, Byron Bay Primary School, 2007-2015 Byron Bay High School, 2016-2021 

Work