Melanie Thompson
most likely you’ll go your way and I’ll go mine (Bob Dylan), 2021
film negatives, printed organza, printed vellum 5' x 6'
'Most likely you'll go your way and I'll go mine' Bob Dylan This work illustrates the transitory nature of people, places, and moments in life. I found a box of old negatives and although I couldn't discern what or who the negative showed I knew they represented various moments and people who had been important to me. I had no thought then that my friendships would be so fleeting, that for the briefest of moments our paths would cross and then continue on in different directions. I think I believed then that I would always hold these people close and I would have not believed they would only be part of my life for so short a time. It was surprising to realize that I did not remember all the people nor all the occasions and I was taken aback by the remarkable impermanence of people, places, and moments.
Melanie Thompson
Imaginarium Botanica, 2024
monofilament, bay and magnolia leaves stitched 4' x 5'
Imaginarium Botanica Melanie Thompson Using a collection of botanical and found materials I have made an installation creating an imaginary space, an Imaginarium Botanica. This imaginarium uses materials such as seed pods, leaves, sticks and bark plus many others. A wide variety of techniques from basketry, stitch, 3d sculpture, printmaking to paint and cyanotype were used to create the work. This environment encourages viewers to view botanical detritus with new eyes. Work that encourages us to appreciate our natural environment with a view to saving it is necessary. To see that not only is there beauty in the living natural habitat but also in the decay and detritus of this environment.
Melanie Thompson
Dip Net-catch of the day, 2023
plastic net, rubber hoochies (fishing lures) recycled material 4' x 4'
Dip Net-catch of the day Melanie Thompson Our continued use of plastics sounds the death knell for the marine environment. I want to remind the viewer of the ubiquitous amount of plastic waste we generate. We pay lip service to reducing waste yet daily consume plastic wrapped products many of which you see inside the dip net. I despair of ever seeing plastic waste diminish. This piece is made of plastic fishing lures called hoochies. They are attached to plastic fence netting used to protect gardens from deer. I see beauty in the hoochies and use them to draw the viewer in and reveal the relevant meaning.
