On the Edge
1.4m
Bronze Sculpture,
protective patination
figurative swimmer forms
limited edition of 30
77cm bronze figures
on 100cm corten steel plinth
suitable for outdoor placement.
Mela Cooke
Australian Bronze Sculptor
My sculptures portray the character and beauty of the people in my world.
I have been influenced by two sculptors in particular, Constantin Brancusi and Henry Moore, and their work has inspired me to employ strong lines and subtle gestures to make my sculptures come alive.
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Woking across various mediums, including marble and timber lead to my appreciation for the beauty & timelessness of bronze, which has resulted in my work now solely being in this medium.
I find that my inspiration and love for people and animals is best expressed in bronze sculptures.
I enjoy the process of working in clay, with its sensual form of expression, which allows for different qualities of surface and line, negative space, motion and emotion.
The sculpture finally cast in bronze has a unique strength and beauty, and allows the figures to disclose a certain tension and suggestion of movement while maintaining subtle expression.
Price, availability and freight on request. 0451 331 333 · sculpture@artpark.com.au
About the work
Mela COOKE
Statement:
My sculptures are informed by my enduring interest in portraying and defining the character and beauty of the people in my life.
I have always been a ‘people’s person’, and I delight in endeavouring to capture the essence of the personalities of my family and friends in my sculptures. I have been influenced by two sculptors in particular, Constantin Brancusi and Henry Moore, and their work has inspired me to employ strong lines and truthful gestures in order to make my sculptures live.
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I have worked in various mediums, including marble , but have arrived at the point in my life where my love of the serenity of working in clay, and my appreciation of the beauty & timelessness of bronze, has resulted in my now working solely in this medium.
‘Artist Mela Cooke’s past life as a physiotherapist is apparent in her strikingly realistic style of sculpture, which pays particular attention to the physical form at rest. Her posing figures are not just aesthetically magnificent, they are also imbued with individual human character. Each figure is made from the laborious artisanal process of casting in bronze. First, the artist creates a clay sculpture from which a wax mould is made and coated in a ceramic shell. The wax is then melted out of the ceramic and, in its place, bronze is poured in at a temperature of around 1,200 degrees Celsius. Finally, the sculpture is sandblasted, smoothed with a grinder, and given a patina that is applied by hand. There is a timelessness to this age-old technique but, in Mela’s hands, the final products are brought into the present day through strong lines, subtle gestures, and the portrayal of modern attitudes taken from the artist’s everyday experience.’
About Mela Cooke
Mela Cooke
Australian Bronze Sculptor,
Mela Cooke
Mela Cooke is a renowned Australian sculptor celebrated for her lifelike and expressive bronze figures. Born in Victoria, Australia, Cooke's artistic journey was nurtured through her education at The University of Melbourne and The University of Queensland.
With a foundation in physiotherapy, Cooke possesses a deep understanding of the human form. This knowledge, combined with her keen eye for detail, allows her to capture the essence of her subjects with remarkable precision. Her sculptures, often inspired by family and friends, are meticulously crafted through a process that involves extensive photography and careful observation of posture and gesture.
Cooke's preference for bronze stems from its inherent beauty and durability. The medium's ability to convey both subtlety and strength aligns perfectly with her artistic vision. She strives to imbue her sculptures with the unique character of each individual, emphasizing the inner qualities that define them.
Cooke's recent focus on "women in action" highlights her fascination with the dynamic energy of athletes. Her swimmers, in particular, reflect her lifelong passion for the sport and her ability to convey the grace and power of human movement.
Mela Cooke's work is showcased in private collections worldwide, including Asia, Europe, the United States, and Australia. Her public sculptures, such as the large bronze figures adorning the streets of Maryborough, Queensland, have become iconic landmarks.
Beyond her large-scale installations, Cooke also creates smaller, intimate bronzes that are perfect for interior spaces. These pieces continue to demonstrate her exceptional skill in capturing the nuances of the human form and the enduring appeal of bronze as an artistic medium.
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Additional Mela Cooke work is available through our sister gallery, SOHO Galleries — view the full collection at https://www.sohogalleries.net/australian-sculptors/mela-cooke-sculpture/
