British Artist Melanie Smith is a painter and mixed media artist, based in East London. She is witty, repels when told what to do and prides herself on creating art that shouts to things like the patriarchy and systemic failings. She too is a work in progress.

 

Out the Darkness marks a hiatus in creating artwork full time for Melanie. After a career in Interior Design and Education, she completed a PGCE and Masters at the University of Cambridge, that saw her really get under the skin of creativity - What is it? Why is it useful and how can it be nurtured in different contexts to positive effect?

​

Melanie’s practice took a turn during the pandemic. Out the Darkness is the double headed snake or more positively, the 'kintsukuroi' (金繕い, "golden repair") that presents itself as:

​

1) a response to the frustration, persistent lack of self-expression working remotely and living in isolation during lockdown under a veil of blue but often grey hues; and

​​

2) as an act of tuning in and listening, letting go, loosening her grip and allowing the artwork to speak for itself. To let surface the many suppressed ideas and observations kept in the dark whilst feeling bombarded by trying to stay connected online.

​

This experience saw a more aggressive and surprisingly vibrant approach to expressing herself creatively through spray paint and hacking up her 15-year-old collection of fashion magazines. 

​

-------------------------

​

Melanie's early practice (2008 - 2016) focused on portraying contemporary idealistic values based upon body image, the notions of beauty that women in particular feel pressure to conform to and the genetic predisposition some have regarding self image.

​

She continues to be preoccupied with deep rooted, systemic representations we are faced with in today’s society and how often the female form in particular is objectified to satisfy the male gaze.

​

Out the Darkness intends to refine and blend concepts explored to date assimilated with other lived experiences during the moments when not creating art, to tell stories. Stories that sometimes shout but more often whisper the thoughts you might least expect. 

​

Melanie graduated from UCCA, Canterbury, Kent in 2008 with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art. Undertaking her first commissions back in 2005, in Freiburg, Germany and for a local nightclub prior to her degree, she has since painted for celebrities such as Emma Bunton and Jermain Defoe. Melanie also painted portraits for the 'Miss Black Britain' runners up in 2007 and contributed to the 'Stars on Canvas' biannual charity auction for the Willow Foundation, finishing 14th highest out of 290 canvases.

​

​Melanie holds a PGCE and MEd from the University of Cambridge and is currently running the newly government funded 'Design Age Institute' at the Royal College of Art, London.

​