Artists
- Andrew Bryant
- Anne-Marie Zanetti
- Ben Hedström
- Charlotte Elizabeth
- Christopher Phillips
- Dai Li
- Darren White
- David Hinchliffe
- Erin Conron
- Gareth Edwards RWA
- Han Hogey
- Jaime Kiss
- James Ainslie
- Jo Young
- June Sartracom
- Ken Barker
- Leonie Barton
- Mairi Ward
- Marie Le Lievre
- Melissa Ladkin
- Michael Ciavarella
- Michael Whitehead
- Mireia Serra
- Mitchell Burns
- Mitchell Cheesman
- Paul Reynolds
- Peggy Zephyr
- Rhonda Cao
- Rosella Namok
- Steve Rosendale
- Walala Tjapaltjarri
- Yanni Van Zijl
- Zhong Chen
Melissa Ladkin
Bio / CV
For over 30 years, Mel has worked in the bush, with native plants, trees and 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.
"Ochres are living, sentient beings, filled with energy and 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 and 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
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
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kuribibi stream I
Melissa Ladkin -
kuribibi stream II
Melissa Ladkin -
mihm – movement
Melissa Ladkin -
mundjindi- protect
Melissa Ladkin -
nama – embrace
Melissa Ladkin -
paramai – mussel
Melissa Ladkin -
taraika taraika – one to another
Melissa Ladkin -
tirikiba – place of flame
Melissa Ladkin -
wanan – fragments
Melissa Ladkin