Mel Young: Statement
An inveterate gleaner, the re-use and re-working of found materials is central to my practice. Some materials bring an existing narrative to the work, providing a point of connection for viewers, wearers and frequently for myself as the maker. My work reflects the sensations inherent in making and wearing – the texture, colour and resonance, of materials are important and selected with care. I am motivated by the transformative power of adornment and its ability to make a statement through the sharing of stories as a form of quiet activism.
The relentless, rolling momentum of the ocean is a constant source of joy and awe. I gather the debris that the ocean spits back onto the shoreline during and after big storms near my home on Dharawal Country, NSW. Often the work reflects the contrast between the natural materials and ancient cultures bound up with this land and the imposition of other places upon it via the movement of debris and people across the oceans.
