Sculptor:

Meliesa has been sculpting now for over 20 years, passionate about her work, certain that visual art can communicate values, that the aesthetic experience is essential to humanity. Sculpture is a dynamic, progressive medium of expression. By bringing work into the public sphere, art becomes available to all of us, becomes a bridge between thought and life. Her early practise focused on fired clay and kiln technology. Her husband, Will Kuiper, studied sculpture – metal assemblage in everything from copper to stainless steel. In the combination of their sculpture skills, bronze casting was a logical conclusion.

Churchill Fellowship:

Europe 2001. An opportunity to take her sculpture and foundry techniques to the advanced level. Their focus was to visit as many foundries and sculpture exhibits as possible. The Sculpture parks in England and specifically the Cass Sculpture Foundation, were a revelation; Spring in Paris was spent in the museums; they were warmly welcomed in Dublin where the community is transforming the old city with new sculpture. Finally four months in a bronze foundry/studio in the South of France, with the purpose of making new sculpture and learning new techniques. A series of new sculptures were created over the summer.

Commissioned Sculpture:

Current commissions; The studios have just completed a major park redevelopment in Stepney, SA. This included a German Migrant Memorial sculpted by Meliesa and cast by Australian Bronze, Sydney. A pair of unique freeform waterbirds will complete the park in May 2012. The waterbirds are a shared design project with Will Kuiper.

St Ignatius has been commissioned by the Norwood Catholic Parish SA, sharing the edition with John xxiii School, WA. Ignatius has been under construction for 12 months and will be completed by the end of 2012.

Catherine McAuley was installed in All Hallows' School, Brisbane and unveiled on 1st Nov 2011. The lifesized sculpture is a vivid representation of this remarkable Irish humanitarian.

Aurora is a unique contemporary sculpture, the combination of the skills and imagination of both sculptors. She was commissioned for the Aurora building , Light Square, Adelaide. Installed in 2010.

Loreto, eight schools, one sculpture for each school around Australia, including Kirribilli and Normanhurst (NSW), Coorparoo (Qld), Ballaratt & Toorak (Vic), Marryatville (SA), Nedlands and Johnxxiii (WA)

There are several other commissions for original work going through the studios at this time.

Previous large commissions; Angas Memorial Restoration; Windsor Green Public Art Project; The Waterbirds, Waite Arboretum, University of Adelaide.

Collections;

Meliesa has been strongly encouraged throughout her career by a succession of mentors and a strong community of patrons, collectors and business people who believe that what the artists are striving to acheive makes a valuable contribution to our cultural life. Meliesa’s sculptures are represented in many private collections around Australia, and in Italy, Germany, Ireland, England, and the USA.

Notable Exhibitions:

Duo shows with her husband are her preferred option for exhibitions. They have had several exhibitions at Urrbrae House - well reviewed and well attended. Self funding allows complete independence in work and presentation. She exhibits regularly around Australia & with occasional ventures overseas.

Continual studio practise;

A series of group studios through the early years supported her art practise even during full time employment for the Museum. Several years of home studios helped consolidate while establishing as a self funded, full time sculptor. Mitcham Council enabled a studio workshop in 2003. This is a fully functional sculpture zone, daylight, cement floors, truck delivery access and room to build really large work. The Loreto commission has pushed the studio’s capacity to the next level.

Training for a career in the arts:

The most practical & inspirational art training was full time work at Artlab, (Museum SA & The State Gallery). Three years work in the Objects Department included everything from Ancient Egyptian bronzes to Aboriginal Bark paintings. One major focus was on first white contact indigenous work, Dreamings 1989.      

Directions for the future:

Meliesa has now proved her capacity to work on a very large scale within the strict guidelines of a formal sculpture. New work and commissions planned for 2012 -13 include several lifesize sculptures with a more loose and contemporary feel.