Biography

Melanie Swan was born in Bournemouth in 1952. Early childhood was spent in the region, where the Isle of Wight was a magical island seen from Mainland shores. After joining the Russian Orthodox Church in 1971, Melanie was sponsored to train as an icon painter in France. “I am, and always will be, an icon painter. Icons are extraordinary doors between worlds and they embody the transfiguring power of Divine Love and Light.”

A varied career, studying and family life followed, with Melanie living in London, Cambridge and, from 1983, the Isle of Wight. The two youngest of her four children were born there, at home in Newport, and Melanie painted as and when she could whilst concentrating on her family as they grew up. Melanie married Martin Swan in 1998. Martin is a well-known Island painter and a Member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists (RSMA).

From working with other artists, and project work, Melanie began exploring new media. Inspired by the work of David Ferrar, Melanie started to work with wire and paper sculpture and had her eel head, “Hello Darling”, featured in the RSMA Summer exhibition 2004. “It was very exciting to have my new work recognised in this way and, particularly, to feature in this prestigious show with my husband”.

Melanie’s work with 3D forms extended to exploring more personal themes through her ‘Head’ sculptures. “I have been excited by how powerfully ideas can be conveyed through three dimensional work and how simply this medium can explore notions of identity”. As well as using paper, Melanie wanted to include textiles in her sculpture, which led to learning felt-making techniques. “I fell in love with the work of Jeanette Appleton and have found feltmaking a wonderful medium to explore my own personal themes”. Although these different media may appear to have little in common, the desire to work with them springs from the most important part of Melanie’s work, the painting of icons.

“There is a powerful narrative theme in my work and a need to explore transformations. All the work I do comes from seeking ways to combine elements of the natural world, and human life, to create something new. It leads me on many an unexpected path and I’m always surprised by what happens!”

Melanie and Martin are members of the National Autistic Society and live in Newport with her youngest son, three cats - and older children as they come and go. Melanie coordinated an exhibition of work from her own, and four other Island artist’s/craftspeople’s families, who live with autism. The exhibition, ‘Inside Outside’ was held at the Rope Store Gallery, Quay Arts, in 2004. It was an opportunity to welcome people into the intimate world of these families and to celebrate the creative lives of parents and children alike.