MELLI INK studied theatre design at Central St. Martins College in London. She worked in theatre, opera and film, designing both sets and costumes, before venturing on becoming a fine artist. Her background of theatre design informs her work as fine artist to this day. Her media include sculpture, film and performance.
In recent years it has become more and more evident that Ink draws her inspiration from art history, literature, film and music. Popular culture is as important to her as high culture, questioning its history and relevance and translating it into our time.
Melli Ink works with glassblowers and other artisans representing dying professions to produce her work. She is fond of incorporating traditional techniques and repurposing them for contemporary art.
Her work is strongly influenced by the Alpine folk art of her native Austria , which is reflected in the value she places in the craft of the artisan. She specialises in juxtaposing the use of materials such as glass and mountain crystal, metal and ceramics.
1972 born in Innsbruck, AT
Lives and works in Zurich and Berlin
Education
1993 - 1996 | BA Theatre Design St. Martins College of Art, London, GB |
1992 - 1993 | Foundation at Parsons School of Design, Paris, FR |
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2023 | Melli Ink, Mumo Forest, Michael Fuchs Galerie, Berlin, DE |
2019 | Faces, Palazzetto Pisani, Venice, IT |
2018 | Melli Ink, Of Insects and Other Creatures, Michael Fuchs Galerie, Berlin, DE |
2017 | Gregor and the Samsas (Kill your Friends), Grieder Contemporary, Zurich, CH |
2014 | Melli Ink / Christine Rebet, Grieder Contemporary, Zurich, CH |
2014 | Melli Ink at Churburg, Schluderns, IT |
2012 | der vom Blau umschlossene Flügel der Krähe trifft auf den gelben Kreis, der schläft, Grieder Contemporary, Zurich, CH |
2012 | Magical Depth, Christophe Graber Juwelier, St.Moritz Art Masters, St.Moritz, CH |
2011 | locus amoenus, Grieder Contemporary projects, Berlin, DE |
2009 | Cold Blood, Grieder Contemporary, Kusnacht / Zurich, CH |
2007 | Die apokalyptischen Reiter, Wiensowski & Harbord, Berlin, DE Savage Garden, Grieder Contemporary, Küsnacht / Zurich, CH |
2006 | Melli Ink. New Works, Likeyou.Projects, Zurich, CH |
2002 | Hotel Alpenblick, Austrian Cultural Forum, London, GB |
Selected Group Exhibitions
2021 | Enchanted Forest, Grieder Contemporary, Küsnacht, CH The Art Cabinet, Kunstmuseum Olten, Olten, CH |
2020 | Made in Zurich, Grieder Contemporary, Küsnacht, CH |
2019 | Lost in Paradise, Biennale Weiertal, Winterthur, CH |
2016 | Sublime Bastards, Avlskarl Gallery, Copenhagen, DK |
2014 | Salon, Michael Fuchs Galerie, Berlin, DE |
2013 | Black & White, Patrick Painter Gallery, Los Angeles, USA |
2010 | Ganz Konkret – Folge 2 , Haus Konstruktiv, Zurich, CH |
2009 | THE SCULPTURE SHOW, Patrick Painter, Los Angeles, CA, USA Golden Agers & Silver Surfers. Das Bild des Alter(n)s in der zeitgenössischen Kunst, Kunsthaus Baselland, Muttenz/Basel, CH |
2008 | Fragile Beauty, Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf, DE |
2006 | International Video Festival Casablanca, Goethe Institute, Casablanca, MA |
1997 | Artomat, Kunsthalle, Düsseldorf, DE |
Projects
2016 | Manifesta 11, Zurich, CH: Kill your friends, Music Video and Performance @ Cabaret Voltaire |
2014 | Jewellery Edition for SOS Kinderdörfer |
2013 | Gasträume, Art on Public Places, Basteiplatz, Zurich, CH |
2012 | Fine Art and Antiques Fair, collaboration with Georg Hornemann, Cologne DE |
2008 | Melli Ink Editions, Cramer+Cramer, Geneva, CH |
2003 | Moonlost, Europäisches Forum Alpbach, AT |
Set Designs
2000 | What Price Confidance, Guggenheim Museum, New York, USA |
1998 | Report to an Academy, Bloomsbury Theatre, London, GB Emperor of Atlantis, Guggenheim Museum, New York, USA Bunnygirls Tale, British Film Institute and Channel 4, London, GB |
1997 | Time Dance, Performance at Royal Festival Hall, London, GB |
Melli Ink's works have been presented at the following art fairs: Art Basel, Art Basel Miami Beach, Art Basel Hong Kong, Armoury Show New York.
Her work is represented in collections in Europe, USA and Asia.