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 - 96 BA Theatre Design St. Martins College of Art, London, GB
1992 - 93 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
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
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

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

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 Inks 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.