Bronze Sculptures by Melissa Young

What: 28 Pairs of Feet

Bronze Sculptures by Melissa Young (Part of the Going Solo 16 exhibition)

Where: The New Zealand Academy Of Fine Arts 1 Queens Wharf, Wellington.

When: 29th March – 13th April 2003 Open 7 days a week 10am – 5 pm

Contact: Melissa Young Wed – Fri 385 7602 Sat – Tues 388 3726 smellymelly40@hotmail.com

Local artist Melissa Young, co winner of the Pacific Arts Award 2002, is exhibiting her new works in 28 Pairs of Feet at The New Zealand Academy Of Fine Arts - Going Solo 16.

The exhibition is about me, sculpting and the real world. Using my art as (Artistic) Therapy - working through my perceived conflicts real or imagined, when I realised that my end goal is to become an Artist full time.

Perceived Conflicts Real or Imagined: Balancing Act #1: Work and Creating. My reality of less money to live on but actual time to sculpt, verses more money but hardy anytime to create.

Balancing Act #2: Creative Integrity. Producing works that I’m proud to have my name or branding on verses the fear of becoming a sculpture factory and making pieces to a selling formula.

Balancing Act #3: Playing the Game. The Publicity Game – Schmoozing, being centre stage verses NOT.

Balancing Act #4: Having a Life. Not feeling guilty when I’m not sculpting verses feeling guilty when I’m having time out.

So how does the title of the exhibition fit into the picture 28 Pairs of Feet?

Are the 28 pairs of feet dancing or standing in a queue? If they are dancing, would they be dancing to disco music? If they are waiting in a queue, what are they waiting for?

It’s best explained that I’m taking artistic liberties with the meaning of the proverb “2 eyes see more than 1”. This is my interpretation - The more pieces (feet) that I create and the more people (more pairs of feet) that see my work, the stronger possibility that I will sell more (pairs of feet), which means that I will arrive at my end destination faster.

Artist’s Direction I create pieces which can be presented in alternative ways – they can be stand alone or part of a larger piece. I see them as my own little puzzles!

The naming of the works is also important to me. I think it gives an insight into my ideas behind the work and hopefully expresses some of my personality.

Cowgirl dancing queens sm

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