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Graduating in 1993 with a BA (Hons) in Art Education Studies from The University of Wales, Melissa embarked on a successful career working with her chosen medium of sculpture. This summer 2007 she has been awarded a Bronze medal from The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths for her sculptural forge work and dedication to education projects
Initially trained as a traditional blacksmith by her father Hector Cole FWCB, Melissa started making domestic iron work for private homes and hotels; curtain poles, window furniture, lighting, gates and railings are still made to order.
Following the success of Chippenham Community Art Project which Melissa devised and raised funds for, she was commissioned by Dolby Laboratories Inc. to create a large projecting wall sculpture for their European H.Q. in Wootton Bassett. This important commission enabled Melissa to develop her sculpture work alongside the commissioned pieces and schools work.
The ancient techniques of forging metal by hand are integral to the sculptural forms she makes. Her sculptures have an intimate and delicate nature belying the strength of their construction and are produced in reaction to immediate emotions and experiences, each unique to their moment of creation and inspired by form found in human, animal and bird life. Her smaller sculptural work is created from re-forged antique wrought iron, sourced from restoration projects across the country. Larger work is made from other metals, steel, stainless steel and copper using a combination of traditional and contemporary making techniques.
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Melissa also has a growing reputation for the high quality sculpture in education projects she has been involved in over her 14 year career. Specializing in giving young people the opportunity to create their own work on the forge, she has visited over 35 school and community groups across the south of England. Various projects that Melissa has worked on have been funded by Arts Council England including equipment funding. Schools projects funded by The National Lottery, Barclays New Futures, The Ironmongers Company and The Golsoncott Foundation.
Examples of these projects can be found on this site and if you are a school wanting to work with Melissa, please email her for an information pack.
Major commissions include;
2002 ‘Jubilation’ 4 m stainless steel sculpture. Private commission, Wiltshire
2001 Chippenham Town Bridge Competition. Winner of an international competition to design new railings for the main town bridge over the River Avon.
1997 ‘Sound Waves’ Wall-mounted entrance piece for Dolby Laboratories European Head Quarters, Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire.
1996 Neeld Hall Entrance Piece. Chippenham. Public Art Commission for North Wiltshire District Council.
WORK BY MELISSA AND ARTICLES ABOUT HER CAREER HAVE FEATURED IN THE FOLLOWING PUBLICATIONS
BBC 1 Countryfile Sunday 21st June 2009 Feature
on Melissa at work.
Grand Designs Channel 4 March 2009 Rabley Barn
Gates Commission
In November Melissa featured on BBC Radio Four
Woman’s Hour. Talking about her role as a
blacksmith in society today and the positive
challenges of female blacksmiths, producer
Isobel Eaton spent a morning at her forge and
tried her hand at blacksmithing.
Listen again at
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/womanshour/04/2007_47_fri.shtml
Wiltshire Life Magazine April 2005, February 2004.
Chroma, August 2004.
Western Daily Press, West Country Life Supplement, June 2004.
Artist Blacksmith, autumn 2002.
Period Living & Traditional Homes April 2000.
Cotswold Life Magazine March 1999.
Times Educational Supplement, April 1999.
Art & Craft, Design & Technology June 1996
Sculpture prices start at £200, please contact Melissa directly for the current price list or to discuss commissioning a sculpture or piece of forged metal work to your requirements.
Private courses for people wanting to learn blacksmithing or metal fabrication for artists are also available.
If you would like to visit Melissa at work or see new work in The Shed Space Gallery, please contact her to make an appointment.
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