Mel Brigg

Biography

South African Artist Mel Brigg is self-taught and started painting full time in 1970. Now based in Queensland, Mel Brigg has built an impressive career in his art practice over the past 30 years. Mel Brigg’s art resonates with a cross-section of art buyers and is collected around the world by significant corporate, private and government institutions and individuals.

Mel Brigg’s paintings explore movement from Africa and asylum seekers coming to Australia to find a better life. Mel Brigg grew up in Africa then migrated to Australia in 1993. He now works from his studio on the Sunshine Coast. “I have always been moved by the complexities of the human condition and my paintings are reflective of turbulent times that the human race may endure in countries with conflict. I also reflect on harmony and peace once pro-active personal change has occurred ”

“Light is the core of my paintings, together with perspective, texture, structure and lyrically atmospheric colour. Combined, these culminate in evocative, emotive and emphatic works” – Mel Brigg

Mel Brigg; Solo Exhibition

27+ in Gold Coast, Perth, Brisbane, Newcastle, Kenthurst, Canberra, South Africa.

Mel Brigg; Awards

SCEGGS REDLAND Art Award 1997

Sorrento Art Exhibition, best in exhibition, 2010, 2011, 2012 Currabubula Art Exhibition, best in exhibition, 2010 Tattersalls Club Art Prize, Brisbane

Mel completed a mural for the new Super Catamaran “Mary MacKillop” used as a ferry in Sydney Harbour. Also completed three works commissioned for “Burrawang West Station Art Collection” and sold two paintings to Keanu Reeves in Sydney.

Mel Brigg: Collections

SA Embassies in Singapore, Canada and Belgium;

Royal Exchange in London; Total Oil collection South Africa;

Pellisier Museum, South Africa;

Universities of Orange Free State and Stellenbosch, South Africa. Barclays Bank South Africa and Australia;

Standard Bank of South Africa.

Numerous Town Councils and corporations throughout South Africa. Queensland State Government; Grain Corporation, Sydney.

Housing Loans, Insurance Loan Sydney;

Sister of St Joseph, North Sydney;

Amnesty International, Victoria;

Opus Communications, Australia.

Many other large corporations and private collections throughout Australia.

Mel Brigg: Publications

Art and Australia 1993

Mary McKillop, a Tribute. Limited Edition Cover, published by Andre Wilson 1995 In the Picture (Year 8, Text Book on Australia and International Art), Oxford Press 1996. Reproductions by Swan Press 1974.

Almac Publishers 1979-1990

Associated Industries 1980-1990

Dictionary of South African Painters and Sculptors 1998

The Bulletin Magazine, Australia 1996

The Promised Land by K Schoeman 1979

Auge International 1982

Art and Artist’s of South Africa by Esme Berman