Mela Cooke was born in Victoria, Australia and educated at The University of Melbourne and The University of Queensland. Mela is a city-based artist with a love of sculpture. Mela produces detailed figures ranging from people to whimsical animals.
"With a background as a physiotherapist, I’ve always had an appreciation of the human form. When sculpting, I draw on family and friends as my models. The process involves taking a multitude of photos from all angles for accuracy of the lines of a pose.
I now work almost entirely in bronze as I find the initial process of sculpting in clay enables me to get great definition & subtlety. I have a great admiration for the medium of bronze because of its intrinsic beauty and timelessness.
I endeavour to capture the character of the individual; in the end it is the essence of the person that is most important for me to translate into the work.
I have recently worked on a series of ‘women in action’ depicting a variety of sportswomen. Swimmers are an enduring interest to me, having been a keen swimmer all my life."
Education
1998-2000 - Studied Marble Sculpting with Graham Radcliffe
1993-2013 - Continued private classes with Frank Lambert
1991-93 - Brisbane Institute of Art, with Frank Lambert
Selected Recent Exhibitions
2022 – Sculpture on the Edge, Maleny, Qld
2022 – Northshore ‘Sculpture by the River’, Brisbane
2022 – Collective Exhibition Galeria Azur, Berlin
2022 – International Contemporary Art Fair, Milan
2021 – Sculptures in the Garden, Mudgee NSW
2021 – Sculpture on the Edge, Maleny Qld
2021 – International Contemporary Art Fair, Paris
2021 – ‘A Brush with Sculpture, Brisbane
2020 – Northshore ‘Sculpture by the River’, Brisbane
2020 – Sculptures in the Garden, Mudgee NSW
2020 – ‘Women in Action’, Manyung Gallery Sorrento
2019 – Sculptures in the Garden, Mudgee NSW
2019 – QSeven Exhibition, Manyung Gallery Flinders
2019 – Sculptors Exposed, Pine Rivers Art Gallery
2018 – ‘Wild Forms’, Urban Paradise Gallery, Brisbane
Awards & Prizes
2022 – Art in the Vines, Hanging Rock VIC
2022 – Finalist – Montalto Sculpture Prize, VIC
2021 – Winner – 3D Category – Bundaberg Art Prize
2021 – Brookfield Sculpture Exhibition – 2nd Prize
2020 – Finalist – Montalto Sculpture Prize, VIC
2019 – Royal Qld Exhibition – 2nd Prize (Representational Sculpture)
2019 – Royal Qld Exhibition – 2nd Prize (Outdoor Sculpture)
2019 – Winner – 3D Award – Somerset Bendigo Bank Art Award
2019 – Winner – George Verine Memorial Prize
2019 – Brookfield Sculpture Exhibition – 2nd Prize
2019 – Finalist – Montalto Sculpture Prize, VIC
2018 – Winner – People’s Choice, Sculptors Qld Exhibition
2018 – Winner – Wynnum Manly Yacht Club Sculptor Exhibition
2018 – Winner – Royal Qld Exhibition, Outdoor Sculpture
2018 – Royal Qld Exhibition 2nd Prize – Indoor Sculpture
2018 – Finalist – Artentwine Sculpture Biennial, TAS
2018 – Winner – Volunteers Choice Award, Stanthorpe Art Prize
2018 – Winner – Brookfield Sculpture Exhibition
2018 – Winner – Montalto Sculpture Prize, VIC (Family Choice Award)
2018 – Finalist – Montalto Sculpture Prize, VIC
Collections
Private collections in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, France, USA, UK, Belgium, HK, Shanghai, Spain, Germany.