Approved: 16.08.2006

Melanie Russell

Artist

Approved: 16.08.2006

Melanie Russell creates drawings and paintings which capture fleeting moments of botanical beauty in loose lines full of energy, mimicking the very spring that nature relies on to burst into bloom. Russell’s works are playful and experimental as well as quiet and sensitive, dancing between representation and abstraction. 

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  • Location: London
  • Contexts: Exhibition, Studio practice
  • Artforms: Drawing, Painting
  • Tags: 2d, assemblage, collage, installation, painting, drawing, oil painting, natural forms, observational drawing, abstraction, colour, line, flora, garden, flowers
 
 

Artist Statement

Melanie Russell creates drawings and paintings which capture fleeting moments of botanical beauty in loose lines full of energy, mimicking the very spring that nature relies on to burst into bloom. Russell’s works are playful and experimental as well as quiet and sensitive, dancing between representation and abstraction. 

 

Observational drawings are the basis of her works which she approaches with a sense of naivety, creating loose drawings in a range of materials, from graphite to pastel and charcoal. She breaks down the organic forms into complex confident lines against a patchwork of colour, giving as much importance to the form as the navigation of negative spaces. 

 

Russell’s work is a celebration of life and growth, the organic forms which are the subject of her work mainly come from her garden which she created from seed and cuttings, spawning each flower and plant from seed to exuberance. Found objects also act as a muse to Russell’s work; plants, shells and leaves which catch her eye are collected and studied. The colour palette is abundantly bold and vibrant alongside works which relish in rich hues and subtle pastels. Reminiscent of stained glass windows, the works are monuments to the wonderment of the natural world.

CV & Education

Education

2004 MFA Fine Art, Slade School of Fine Art

2000 BA(Hons) Fine Art, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff

Solo & Two Person exhibitions

2023 Hustling & Jostling with Justine Formentelli, The Woodfield Pavilion, Tooting Common

2007 Recent drawings and paintings, Mount House Gallery, Marlborough  

Group exhibitions

2023 A Generous Space 3, Huddersfield Art Gallery 

2022/23 Plant Life, The Art of Frinton, Frinton-on-Sea

2022 Colours An Exhibition of Painntings, The Stone Space, London

2022 On Paper, Paper Gallery, Manchester

2021 A Generous Space, Hastings Contemporary

2019 Extraordinary Sketchbooks, Mount House Gallery, Marlborough

2015 Contemporary British Watercolours, Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery, Kent

2015 Gin 5, 6GINS Project Space, The Royal Standard, Liverpool

2013 Form/Function, Pluspace, Manchester,

2013 Creekside Open, A.P.T Gallery, Deptford, London,

2013 Meditations, Pluspace, Coventry,  

2012 Bow Arts Open 2012, Bermondsey Project Space 

2012 March Group Exhibition, Hada Contemporary, London

2012 Objects of Desire, The Searchers Contemporary, Centrespace, Bristol

2011 Salon Art Prize, Matt Roberts Arts, London

2007 Jerwood contemporary painters, Jerwood space, London, Bayart, Cardiff, The Lowry, Salford

Salon 07, Seven Seven Contemporary Art, London

2005 2D Open, Surface Gallery, Nottingham 

Creekside Open, APT Gallery, London

Homelife, Stroud House Gallery, Gloucestershire

2004 Discerning Eye Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London

2000 Phusion, Gasworks Gallery, London

Competitions, prizes and awards 

2011 Open Painting Competition, Motorcade/FlashParade, BV Studios, Bristol 

2007 Jerwood Contemporary Painters

2005  Creekside Open, APT Gallery, London 

2004  Project Award, Slade School of Fine Art, UCL 

2002  Kicking off fund, Southwest Arts Council, Stroud, Gloucestershire

Residencies 

2006  Arist In Residence, Marlborough College, Whiltshire 

Public commissions 

2010  Weymouth Hoardings Project, Dorset County Council, Weymouth, Dorset 

Workshops

2013 Creative Workshops Volunteer, Macmillan Cancer Support, London 

2008-2010  Workshop Leader, Gloucestershire Archives, Gloucester

2008  Workshop Leader, Museum in the Park, Stroud

Educational experience

2007  Tutor/Course Leader, Marlborough College Summer School

2005  Associate Lecturer, Bedford College