Acrylic Painting
Melody Suranyi
Melody is a Newcastle based Artist, Muralist and Teacher whose art combines modern and ancient themes. By Drawing inspiration from antiquity and infusing it with modern colours and patterns, Melody paints a celebration of old and new.
Artist Profile
Melody is a Newcastle based Artist, Muralist and Teacher whose art combines modern and ancient themes. By Drawing inspiration from antiquity and infusing it with modern colours and patterns, Melody paints a celebration of old and new.
Melody’s artistic journey began with a dual passion for archaeology and art. Rather than choosing between the two, she merged them, allowing her to continue exploring ancient history while expressing her creativity through art. After graduating from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Visual Communication Design in 2022 she joined Onwards Gallery as a resident artist. Since then, Melody has sold her work both regionally and internationally and has exhibited in many group exhibitions, most recently in the Museum of Art and Culture Lake Macquarie.
Based in Newcastle, Melody shares her passion for art with a wide audience, teaching workshops to both children and adults, with the goal of inspiring creativity and cultivating a love for art. She has also expanded her practice to include large-scale mural painting, most notably a 15-meter mural on the hoarding of the Newcastle Heritage Post Office.
Artist Interview
What medium do you work with, and why have you chosen them?
I work with acrylic paints due to their fast drying nature. This allows me to be free to layer and experiment with colour choices and different textures and patterns.
How does your artwork get from initial concept to exhibition stage?
My artworks begin with an idea usually from a specific artefact, pattern or colour combination. I flick through my collection of books for inspiration on vessel shapes and pick one that speaks to me. I then open up my sketchbook and start drawing and noting down all my ideas and layering colour combinations before eventually deciding on a composition and taking it to canvas.
Can you tell us a little more about your creative working environment/studio?
I paint from my art studio at Onwards Gallery where I am so lucky to be part of a wonderful community of artists. My studio is filled to the brim with all the things that inspire me. I have a big collection of books which I flick through often for ideas and lots of different vases and vessels surrounding my desk. I treat my studio walls like a big pin board so they are covered with artworks, photos, sketches, bits of fabric, colour swatches and trinkets.
Artist Quote
– 2024 Solo Exhibition titled ‘Ancient Rhythm’ at Grainger Gallery Canberra– Exhibited at the Affordable Art Fair Melbourne 2024
– Jumbled Art Superstar Finalist 2023||PARAGRAPH_BREAK||
