Melissa Cole – Biography
January 13, 2020
Biography
COMMISSIONS
- 2019 Ridgeway Farm Art Project, Purton, Wiltshire for Taylor Wimpey, Stanford In The Vale, Oxfordshire, village arts trail project.
- 2018 DNA sculpture for Cosmic Walk at Winchester University. Moravian Star sculpture project, Malmesbury, Wilts. Private commission, large garden sculptures, Wiltshire.
- 2017 Decorative window panels for a Sir John Soanes designed private house in Wiltshire.
- 2016 Seaside handrail, Bridport, Private client. Decorative grape vine support, private garden. Rose arbour, private commission.
- 2015 Latchways PLC Seasonal greetings product of a limited presentation edition of 500 copper feathers for world wide distribution. ‘Wishing Dish’ Bronze bowl for private clients.
- 2014 Cherwell College, Student Accommodation decorative screening panels to entrance wall based on brain neurons. Private commission- Fern Gate. Private commission – Water mill gate. Private Commission – Altar Cross and candlesticks for St Katharines Hospice, Banbury.
- 2014 Selected artist Ridgeway Farm, Purton. Public Art Commission, Taylor Wimpey
- 2013 River Route wall mounted installation representing the River Cherwell 24m wrapped around the exterior of the gatehouse building, Chapel Street, Oxford for A2Dominion.
JHQ Rheindahlen, Germany. Sculpture project to commemorate the closing of the UK MOD base working with The Ark School, Windsor School, residents, staff and German schools.
- 2012 ‘Driftway Imprint’ Bronze and steel sculpture at The Slade, Oxford for Oxford City Council.
Tiny Red Garden Gate, Newbury.
Selected artist -YAA Asantewaa Carnival Village Entrance Gates, Notting Hill, London.
- 2011 Story-telling sculptural tower and web for Wootton and Drysandford Community Centre.
St Francis C of E Primary School, Swindon. Entrance sculptural cross and signage.
Three metre, 3 pedestal glass-topped dining table, private clients, Wiltshire.
- 2010 Knowle House, Marlborough. Entrance gates in white.
- 2009 Rabley Contemporary Drawing Centre, Marlborough, entrance gates and side panels.
Stockcross House, Newbury, double garden Red Gates and panels.
- 2008 Westbury public art commission gates and railings. St Johns Infant School Residency.
- 2007 Robert Sandilands Primary school residency and sculpture.
- 2006 Short listed for Playing, Creating and Experiencing Art Commission, Newbury, Berks.
- 2006 Greatham Primary School, Hampshire. National Lottery funded two week residency.
- 2005 Ditcham Park School, West Sussex. Two week residency with Junior and Upper school. Corfe Hills School,Broadstone, Dorset. Memorial sculpture. Selected Artist; Paramount Development Entrance Gates Project. Swan Hill Homes Ltd.
- 2004 20m of Railings and gates for private clients near Newbury
- 2003 Two large screening panels, Wellington Street, Swindon, Wilts.
- 2002 Short listed for the Britwell Library Public Art Commission, Slough, Berkshire. ‘Jubilation‘4m stainless steel sculpture. Private commission. Bloxham, Wilts.
- 2001 / 02. ‘Forged & Gorged’. Commissioned by Salisbury District Council. Working with Hoodwink Theatre Company 2001 Chippenham Town Bridge replacement steel railings.
- 1997 ‘Soundwaves’. Wall-mounted entrance piece for Dolby Laboratories European HQ.
- 1996 Neeld Hall Entrance Sculpture/signage. Chippenham, Wilts
EXHIBITIONS
2017 ‘New Lines; Ancient Landscapes’ With Jonathan Mansfield at Pound Arts, Corsham, Wiltshire. Fresh Air 2017 Quenington, Glos. British Art; Ancient Landscapes at Salisbury Museum.
2016 Liberty Arts Trust Summer Exhibition, Kings Hill, Kent.
2015 Savill Garden Sculpture Exhibition, Windsor
2014 Savill Garden Sculpture Exhibition, Windsor. Wine St Gallery @No.10 Christmas Exhibition.
2013 Pop Up Gallery New Brewery Arts Cirencester. The Shed Space Gallery with Mark Somerville
2011 ‘Foursight’ Puthall Farm December, 2011. ‘Made To Last’ Salisbury Cathedral.
‘Received Wisdom’ Arlington Arts Centre, Newbury. ‘Galvanize’ Sheffield Winter Hill Gardens.
2010 Chapel Row Gallery, Bath, Joint Exhibition. The Shed Space Gallery. Rabley Drawing Centre Garden Sculpture Exhibition.
2009 Chapel Row Gallery, Bath. Joint Exhibition. The Shed Space Gallery
2008 The Shed Space Gallery with photographer Mark Somerville. Puthall Park Sculpture Show
2007 Fresh Air 2007, Quenington, Hackwood Arts Festival, Basingstoke. ‘Insight 2007’ New Greenhm Arts. The Shed Space at Puthall Farm. ‘Transitions’ at Arlington Arts Centre, Newbury.
2006 Puthall Park Sculpture Show, Marlborough, ‘Insight 2006’ New Greenham Arts Centre,
2005 – 1996 Group exhibition Morgan Boyce Fine Art, Marlborough. ‘Insight 2005’ New Greenham Arts
Puthall Park Sculpture Show, Marlborough. ‘-40° Christmas Exhibition’ at The Shed Space, Marlborough. ‘Insight 2004’ New Greenham Arts Centre, Newbury. ‘Art on the Balcony’ Corn
‘Fresh Air’ at Quenington Rectory, Glos. Abstract Exhibition at the Wine Street Gallery, Devizes. The Garden Gallery at Broughton. Hook House Gallery, Westonbirt, Glos. ‘Spring Exhibition’ Handel House Gallery, Devizes. ChippenhamTown Bridge Competition at the Citadel Gallery, Chippenham. ‘In-Dent‘ Mixed Exhibition at Stroud House Gallery, Stroud, Glos. ‘Relativity’ The Citadel Gallery, Chippenham, Wilts. Joint exhibition with painter Terry Ilott. Chippenham Community Art Project end of residency Exhibition at The Citadel Gallery.
PUBLICATIONS/PR
‘Countryside Voice’ publication for Campaign for the Protection of Rural England Summer 2017
‘Escape To The Country’ BBC2 Follow up feature.
Women In Trade Journal Summer Issue 2015.
‘With Love’ Project Summer 2015 limited edition book, video and blog.
‘Escape To The Country’ TV BBC2 ‘Wiltshire’ Spring 2015
‘With Love’ Project Summer 2015 limited edition book, video and blog.
‘Escape To The Country’ TV BBC2 ‘Wiltshire’ Spring 2015
BBC Radio 2 Chris Evans Breakfast Show guest Oct 2013.
Garden Design Journal Jan 2010.
‘Countryfile’ BBC One June 2009.
‘Grand Designs’ Channel Four Rabley Barn project Feb 2009. Grand Designs Channel 4
‘Grand Designs’ Channel Four Rabley Barn project Feb 2009. Grand Designs Channel 4
Western Daily Press West Country Life Supplement Nov 2008. Out and About, Newbury Weekly News supplement Feb 2008.
BBC Woman’s’ Hour, November 2007. Telegraph Weekend Section June 2007.
Meridian News August 2006.
Wiltshire Life Magazine March 2019, March/Feb 2009,April 2005, Feb 2004
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
AWARDS
2016 Admitted as Liveryman under redemption to The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, Granted Freedom of The City Of London.
2007 Bronze Medal. The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths. (27th awarded since 1325)
2005 Arts & Business New Partners Investment. With Tin Horse, for Puthall Park Sculpture Show.
2002 Certificate of Merit. Chippenham Town Bridge design, Chippenham Civic Society.
2002 Certificate of Merit. The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths.
2001 Investment In Individuals Award. Southern Arts.
1990 Student Service to the Community. Chippenham Technical College.
TALKS
2012 ‘Marketing for Artists’ talk for Marlborough Open Studios artists on the use of social media.
2010 Marketing and PR talk, New Greenham Arts Centre for Newbury Open Studios
2004 Annual Arts Conference for Hampshire County Council. Talk and slide show of working with an Artist Blacksmith in schools followed by practical metal workshops for school-teachers.
Various projects funded by Arts Council England including equipment funding and The Golsoncott Foundation. Schools projects funded by The National Lottery, Barclays New Futures, The Ironmongers Company.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Freedom of the City Of London by Redemption via The Worshipful Company Of Blacksmiths 2016
13th World Forging Championships, Stia, Italy. September 2011
Sponsored by The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths and The Jinny Quinnell Memorial Trust to compete as one of three in the first all-female team of professional blacksmiths.
Puthall Park Sculpture Show 2004, 2006, 2008
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In response to the lack of opportunities in the area for showing larger scale sculptural work, I devised and raised over £23K of sponsorship for this large outdoor exhibition. 4500+ visitors over three shows, featured on Meridian News. This exhibition was supported by: Arts Council England, Kennet District Council, Tin Horse, and Dolby Labs Inc. and Arts & Business.
Posted in Blacksmithing