Image courtesy of Mel Ladkin.
MEL LADKIN
Mel Ladkin is a descendant of the Awabakal & Wonnarua nations with ties to the Githabul Bundjalung people and has been living and working on Bundjalung Country for the past 16 years.
From a young age Mel experienced a deep and intuitive connection to the land. She felt the earth speak to her and was moved by the richness and depth of the colours that form the many ochres she has come across over time. Time, that she has spent in the bush, working with native plants, trees, their habitats and caring for country. Mel has always had a love of geology and been fascinated with rocks, minerals and soils.
Working specifically with ochre, the careful and respectful collection to the preparation to make into pigment is a very personal journey. A time of deep connection and acknowledgement of all that have come before her.
Mel’s collection of art works has evolved with much thought, care and respect. Her work speaks of an ancient wisdom, and she hopes her work will inspire others to open up to the spirit of the land and to the rich culture and knowledge that it holds.
STATEMENT
My practice represents the multi-layered history of our people and our intrinsic connection to country.
I have been caring for country for most of my life and have a reciprocal relationship with the land.
This practice has brought me closer to the heart of our ancient land and shares old stories & wisdom.
Ochres are living, sentient beings, filled with energy & spirit and hold a knowing that is learned over deep time.
I acknowledge and honour the connection that my people and all traditional owners have to this ancient medium.
I respect & understand that each different nation/clan group has its own history, traditional cultural practices, protocols and spiritual beliefs to ochres.
These ochre stories are the palette of my cultural expression and I hope they can evoke and resonate with your own connection to country and how you walk upon it.
Mel offers creative development workshops to Indigenous artists and peoples, and Paint with Ochre workshops for educational institutions, as well as Remembering and reconnecting through Ochres.
Image courtesy of Mel Ladkin/ photo by @dotheinstathinghy.
Image courtesy of Mel Ladkin.