Melli Ink

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 - 1996BA Theatre Design St. Martins College of Art, London, GB
1992 - 1993Foundation at Parsons School of Design, Paris, FR

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2023Melli Ink, Mumo Forest, Michael Fuchs Galerie, Berlin, DE
2019Faces, Palazzetto Pisani, Venice, IT
2018Melli Ink, Of Insects and Other Creatures, Michael Fuchs Galerie, Berlin, DE
2017Gregor and the Samsas (Kill your Friends), Grieder Contemporary, Zurich, CH
2014Melli Ink / Christine Rebet, Grieder Contemporary, Zurich, CH
2014Melli Ink at Churburg, Schluderns, IT
2012der vom Blau umschlossene Flügel der Krähe trifft auf den gelben Kreis, der schläft, Grieder Contemporary, Zurich, CH
2012Magical Depth, Christophe Graber Juwelier, St.Moritz Art Masters, St.Moritz, CH
2011locus amoenus, Grieder Contemporary projects, Berlin, DE
2009Cold Blood, Grieder Contemporary, Kusnacht / Zurich, CH
2007Die apokalyptischen Reiter, Wiensowski & Harbord, Berlin, DE
Savage Garden, Grieder Contemporary, Küsnacht / Zurich, CH
2006Melli Ink. New Works, Likeyou.Projects, Zurich, CH
2002Hotel Alpenblick, Austrian Cultural Forum, London, GB

Selected Group Exhibitions

2021Enchanted Forest, Grieder Contemporary, Küsnacht, CH
The Art Cabinet, Kunstmuseum Olten, Olten, CH
2020

Made in Zurich, Grieder Contemporary, Küsnacht, CH
Stillscape, Studio K3, Zürich, 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

2009THE 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
2008Fragile Beauty, Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf, DE
2006International Video Festival Casablanca, Goethe Institute, Casablanca, MA
1997Artomat, Kunsthalle, Düsseldorf, DE

Projects

2016Manifesta 11, Zurich, CH: Kill your friends, Music Video and Performance @ Cabaret Voltaire
2014Jewellery Edition for SOS Kinderdörfer
2013Gasträume, Art on Public Places, Basteiplatz, Zurich, CH
2012Fine Art and Antiques Fair, collaboration with Georg Hornemann, Cologne DE
2008Melli Ink Editions, Cramer+Cramer, Geneva, CH
2003Moonlost, Europäisches Forum Alpbach, AT

Set Designs

2000What Price Confidance, Guggenheim Museum, New York, USA
1998Report 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
1997Time 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.