Suffocation
$3,300.00
About Artist
Mel Gras is an emerging ceramic artist based in Sydney. Her practice focuses on humanity, and our connection to earth. Initially a life study artist, Mel attended classes at Tom Bass, Sydney Sculpture School, and Sydney Art Space. Two years ago, she made the shift from hobbyist to artist, leaving her career to complete a Diploma of Ceramics at Hornsby TAFE NSW and develop her studio practice.
While Mel continues to develop her artistic voice, she deepens her exploration of the complex relationship mankind has with our earth, expressed in her work displayed as a finalist at Eden Unearthed (2022/23) and Sculpture Bermagui 2024 Exhibitions. Mel celebrates the simplicity of the tools and materials she works with, using traditional techniques and a modern approach to create beautiful objects, expressing her love for all life on our planet.
With growing concerns about climate change and damage to our planet through excessive consumption, Mel’s work is becoming informed by the cause and effect consumption is having on the environment and wildlife. Mel is passionate about empowering us all, as consumers, to affect immediate and positive change. Her work is a force for good, to bring shadows into the light and empower us as individuals to care for self and our planet through the choices we make.
Artist Statement
Suffocation brings attention to the impact of our consumption of single use items on our planet. Oblivious consumption is harmful to all life on earth, and it doesn’t have to be this way. Frans Lanting, a wildlife photographer, describes the albatross as an ambassador of our ecosystem because in many ways they live parallel lives to ours. If we continue our careless consumption, their future will eventually become ours within our lifetime.
Reducing consumption of even a few single use items will lighten our planets burden significantly. The power to change is in every one of us.