Mel Brigg’s collection Exodus is based on forced human migration.
"I remember seeing a photograph in Africa of people walking away from their village like an endless stream of ants. They were walking away from their lives, from the homes and lands of their ancestors.
If they didn’t walk away they would have been killed. The abandoned expressions on their faces and the uncertainty of their journey were powerful and memorable images which would later become the inspiration for the Exodus series."
Mel Brigg- Artist
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
AUSTRALIA
2019/21/23 The Studio Gallery, Yallingup
2014 Trevor Victor Harvey Gallery, Sydney
2012 Work for the Blues, Bluecare
2012 Trevor Victor Harvey Gallery, Sydney
2011 Trevor Victor Harvey Gallery, Sydney
2010 Art Nuvo Gallery, Buderim
2010 Red Hill Gallery
2009 Wentworth Gallery, Sydney
2008 Art Nuvo Gallery, Buderim
2007 Linton & Kay Gallery
2006 David Hart Gallery
2005 Linton & Kay Gallery
2004 Ron Coles Gallery
2004 Red Hill Gallery
2003 McGrath Gallery
2002 Boyd Gallery
2001 McGrath Gallery
2000 Von Bertouche Gallery
2000 Porters Gallery
2000 Tattersalls Club Art Prize Brisbane
1999 Bush Childrens Art Exhibition
1995 Wagner Art Gallery
1995 Mary McKillop, A tribute commencing at Sydney Powerhouse
1997 SCEGGS REDLAND Art Award
1997 Tattersalls Club Art Prize Brisbane
1993 Wentworth Gallery, Sydney
PORTUGAL
1989 Gallery Portimao
ENGLAND
1989, 1990, 1991 Solent Gallery
1990 Cannon Gallery
1991 Oliver Swan Gallery, Cowes, Isle of Wight
SINGAPORE
1993 South African Embassy
SOUTH AFRICA
1971, 1975, 1977 Bloemfontein
1973, 1975, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988 Johannesburg
1976, 1978 Nelspruit
1974, 1975 Springs
1974, 1975, 1980, 1990, 2001 Cape Town
1990, 1991 Rustenberg
1992 Swellendam
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2019 Beyond Karijini, The Studio Gallery, Yallingup
2017 Easter Exhibition, The Studio Gallery, Yallingup
2016 Spring Exhibition, The Studio Gallery, Yallingup
2015 Easter Exhibition, The Studio Gallery, Yallingup
2012 Moran National Portrait Prize (finalist)
2010 Queensland Health, Child Diabetes fundraising at Hyatt Coolum
2010 Brisbane Lutheran College Art Show, People's Choice Award
AWARDS
2016 Brisbane Rotary Art Spectacular
2014 Royal Queensland Art Society, Finalist in inaugural Queensland Figurative 2014
2012 Finalist - National Portrait Prize, Moran Prizes
2011, 2010 Sorrento Art Exhibition, best in exhibition
2010 Currabubula Art Exhibition, best in exhibition
CORPORATE COLLECTIONS & OTHER
Book cover by Kalypso Nicolaidis, ‘Exodus, Rechoning, Sacrifice’
Foyer of the SCPH, Queensland
South African Embassies in Singapore, Canada and Belgium
Royal Exchange, London
Total Oil Collection, South Africa
Pellisier Museum, South Africa
Universities of Orange Free State and Stellenbosch, South Africa
Barclays Bank of Australia and South Africa
Standard Bank of South Africa
Numerous town councils and corporations across South Africa
Queensland State Government
Grain Corporation, Sydney
Housing Loans Insurance Corporation, Sydney
Bayer Australia Ltd, Sydney
Sisters of St Joseph, North Sydney
Care Australia
Optus Communications and private collectors throughout Australia
Burrawang West Station Art Collection, NSW, Australia
Mural for Mary McKillop Supercat, Sydney Harbour, Australia
Ehime Women’s College Art Collection, Ehime, Japan
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Studio La Primitive Arts Zine, Leading Artist Feature, March 2017
Art Chat, Blog, Interview no 9, 2013
Easel and Me, Blog, painting of the Week: Exodus 2010, 2012
Salt Magazine, July 2010
Profile Magazine, July 2008
Weekender Magazine, feature interview June 2008
Salt Magazine, interview Winter 2008
Noosa Style Magazine, interview June 2008
Style Magazine, interview June 2008
Buderim Weekly, June 2008
Buderim Chronicle, June 2008
Coast Magazine, interview Spring 2008
The Record, winter 2006 cover (St Vincent de Paul)
Bulletin Magazine
Australian Art Collector
Art and Australia 1993
Mary Mc Killop, A Tribute. Limited Edition cover Published by Andrew Wilson. 1995
Mary Mc Killop College Yearbook 1999
In The Picture (Year 8 text book on Australian and International Art) Oxford Press 1996
Reproductions by Swan Press, 1974
Almanac Publishers 1979 - 1990
Associated Industries 1980 – 1990
Dictionary of South African Painters and Sculptors, published by E Read 1988
The Bulletin magazine Australia 1996
The Promised Land by K Schoeman 1979
Auge International Feb 1982 Art and Artists of Southern Africa by Esme Berman
Painting is a spontaneous reaction that happens when the brain sends screwed up, creative messages to the hand, the hand normally does everything in its power to ignore those signals... the creative brain takes a path to the unknown, and manipulates the moment... that is the path we should follow as artists. Failing that, we will become commercial entities. We will lose our gift, and become script writers for the uninformed... and we will leave this world, frustrated and unfulfilled.
I paint not because I want to, but because I must - I am compelled to paint to convey my feelings and my message. Painting is a powerful way to make a statement about anything that moves you. You can paint an evocative landscape or you can make graphic comment about social injustice, tragedy and the singularity of the human condition. Art painted with feeling can remind people of the reality of our planet. I have the power to reawaken my viewers to the beauty and colour of nature.
My painting is mostly an expression of my love of nature, animals and the wide open spaces of South Africa and Australia. To be in harmony with my environment is very important to me, as it is to understand it – be it social or political. So even on the odd occasion I have taken to challenge the system on canvas, somehow the landscape seems to surface
I draw inspiration from the interior regions of Australia. The vastness and intensity of light, combined with the spirituality of the indigenous peoples, are a never ending source of subject matter for me.
I try to portray this in my work by using materials such as sand, bones and skin. Hints of tribal symbols combined with heavy textures, impart a feeling of the powerful energy forces which surround these desert people – a possible link from the past with Africa where I was born and raised.
What you see in a landscape may give you an overwhelming sense of peace, or it may threaten or intimidate you. I can paint an evocative landscape or I can make a graphic comment about social injustice, tragedy and the human condition.
There are dozens of artists I admire but I think Van Gogh and Turner had the greatest impact on my early years. I also enjoy Gaugin, Matisse, Van Dongen, Picasso and Moore.
No doubt as our country changes, so will I, and hopefully grow with it, perhaps in a more abstract expression. To simplify my subject and possibly become a touch more bold with my brush and palette. Yet I am always aware of Van Gogh’s words: “To be able to create something great”. He often used the word “beautiful” – a word often frowned upon in today’s art circles. I think time is the greatest teacher, and if one paints honestly – fulfilment will be the greatest reward and for the time being I’m happy with that.