Melanie Earle
Melanie Earle
Sculptor
BIO
Melanie Earle is a sculptor based in Rocklyn, Ontario, Canada. Their practice focuses on inspired by symbolism, folklore/mythology and the natural world.
They work primarily in ceramics and mixed media. Their work explores story telling - (a feminist perspective) of fairly tales told by women / cross cultural mythological figures.
They have formal education from OCAD university graduate 1985 and George Brown Commercial Art graduate 1988.
Their work has been exhibited in “Material Matters”, GHAC, Grey Gallery, Owen Sound, ON, 2025 “Transformation:art about death,mourning & meaning”, GHAC, Durham Art Gallery, Durham ON, 2022 “Placed I Know – Art about Memory”, GHAC, L.E.Shore Library, Thornbury ON, 2021 “Abundance and Scarcity”, GHAC, Durham Art Gallery, Durham ON, 2019 “Sacred Spaces: Altars by Artists”, GHAC, L.E.Shore Library, Thornbury ON, 2017 “A Different Kettle of Fish”, GHAC, Meaford Hall, Meaford ON, 2016 “Portraits Now-The Image Within”, GHAC, The Griffin Gallery @ Roxy Theatre, Owen Sound, 2015 “The Wayfaring Artist”, GHAC, Santa Fe Gallery, Owen Sound ON, 2014.
Currently, they are pursuing their ongoing studio work in ceramics / sculpture.
Select Works
Artist Statement
While working with mixed media & ceramics, these sculptures are recently directed to the idea of the ceramic vessel and as a container to hold something. I have in the past made for clients, funerary urns to hold their loved ones ashes (human and animals) - The Spirit Jar series explores these ideas in combination with my ongoing interest in folklore, symbolism, mythology and the natural world.
CV
basic info
Melanie Earle
Born Winnipeg Manitoba 1960
Lives and works in Rocklyn, Ontario, Canada
Education
George Brown College, Certificate, Commercial Art, 1988
Ontario College of Art, OCAD, Experimental Arts, 1985
University of Manitoba, Fine Arts Major, 1979-80
Group Shows
“Material Matters”, GHAC, Grey Gallery, Owen Sound, ON, 2025
“Transformation: art about death, mourning & meaning”, GHAC, Durham Art Gallery, Durham ON, 2022
“Placed I Know – Art about Memory”, GHAC, L.E. Shore Library, Thornbury ON, 2021
“Abundance and Scarcity”, GHAC, Durham Art Gallery, Durham ON, 2019
“Sacred Spaces: Altars by Artists”, GHAC, L.E. Shore Library, Thornbury ON, 2017
“A Different Kettle of Fish”, GHAC, Meaford Hall, Meaford ON, 2016
“Portraits Now-The Image Within”, GHAC, The Griffin Gallery @ Roxy Theatre, Owen Sound, 2015
“The Wayfaring Artist”, GHAC, Santa Fe Gallery, Owen Sound ON, 2014
“Eat Me, Drink Me. Love Me- Art about Food”, GHAC, various food establishments in Flesherton, 2011
“Raising Shakti - Restoring Balance”, GHAC, Flesherton Art Gallery Ontario, 2010
“Autopoiesis: Self-creation”, GHAC, Meaford Hall, Meaford, Ontario, 2009
“The Shrine Show”, Flesherton Art Gallery, Flesherton Ont., 2007
“The Art Garden”, Local Colour, Flesherton Ont., summers of 2000 – to present
“Product Perfect”, Open Studio, Toronto, 1988
“Super Conductors”, Garnet Press, Toronto, 1987
“Interior Tenements”, Gallery 88, Toronto, 1987
“Quick Draw”, Gallery 76, Toronto, 1986
“Radiant Vista: The Significant Landscape”, Republic, Toronto, 1985
“Ideas in Motion”, Emily Carr School of Art, Vancouver, B.C., 1984
Bibliography
Hanna, Deirdre - “Hailing the Print Product”, Now Magazine, Nov., 1988
Lypchuk, Donna - “Product Perfect a bloodless coup”, Metropolis Magazine, Nov., 1988
Hume, Christopher - “Republicans don’t name names”, Toronto Star, Aug., 1987
Grenville, Bruce - “The Republic”, Parachute, Sept/Oct/Nov 1985
Mays, John Bentley, -“Intriguing vistas on an old topic”, The Globe & Mail, April 1985
McGrath, Gerry -“Radiant Vista”, Vanguard, Sept. 1985
Activities
In March 2008, myself and Shauna Earle created an artists’ group, called The Grey Highlands Artists Collective – GHAC. Functioning like a gallery we have a policy of curation that focuses on issues and ideas that interest us as artists. By putting on shows in different communities and different settings we expose that particular area to dynamic, fresh and challenging artists, shows and events, while at the same time raising consciousness and awareness about the artistic process. We are also focused on giving opportunities to new or little known artists to show their work under an ‘idea umbrella’.
In 1998 I created my own ceramic art business, ‘Sourceworks Ceramics’, which I am still involved in today. I have participated in many events and shows over the years – to name a few - Fine Craft Show & Sale, Owen Sound; Summerfolk Festival, Owen Sound; Hillside Festival, Guelph; Celtic Roots Festival, Goderich Ontario; Festival Boreal, Sudbury, Ontario.
I am a 15 year member of The Autumn Leaves Studio Tour, which has an open studio tour once a year in October.
I am a 3 year member of the Owen Sound Artists Co-op
I am a 2 year member of the WFGA ( Walters Falls Group of Artists)
In 1985 I helped create and become a member of Republic, a Toronto based artists collective with a policy of reactive curation.
Exhibitions
“Radiant Vista” ,“Power of the Cross”, “Constant Vertical”, • “Ex-Nihilo”, “ The Garden of Delight”, “Product Perfect”, “Interior Tenements”, “Super Conductors” and “The Secret Life of Objects”
Guest Lecturer at the Dundas School of Art, Dundas, Ont. 1984