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.