Melanie works as a potter, jeweler, and writer, from her rural home in Marahau.

Originally specialising in textiles, as a student of Nelson Polytech’s Craft and Design course, Melanie has worked continuously as a potter since 1989. Her first picture book, Nanny Mihi and the Rainbow, was published in 2001 and she is now an established Maori children’s writer with more than 20 titles to her name. Melanie’s first solo exhibition of paintings was held in early 2002. She held regular exhibitions but now prefers exhibiting in group exhibitions around New Zealand with her focus firmly on ceramics and small sculpture. Her sculptures in clay are created using a variety of methods and finishes, and her domestic ware is finely thrown and delicate. Much of her work is inspired by Aotearoa’s beach and bush, the female form and what it is to belong here.

For our ‘Stories’ ceramics exhibition, Melanie combined two of her great loves- story and the female form to explore what it is to be wrapped up in our own narratives.