About Melissa

Melissa McElhone creates ceramic sculptures and artworks, often with additions of various materials, such as rusty steel wires, nails and copper. She has studied and created using clay for over 10 Years. Melissa has a studio on the South Coast of NSW. Melissa uses a variety of firing and surface techniques preferring to use clay based slips and Oxides to create interest and depth.

Artist Statement

I am interested in the historical and cultural commonalities of human experiences and emotions that surround leaving a homeland. I have been exploring the inscriptions on Australian convict love tokens. These love tokens were sent home to loved ones, and the words are timeless expressions of yearning and love. More recently I have been exploring my own ancestors with thanks to my Mum who has been doing all the research. Mary Lahy came to Western Australia with her sister and about 150 other Irish single women in 1838. These brave women launched into the unknown leaving behind family and there own ancestors. My goal in all my artworks is to try and express an emotion along with the story.