Australian Artists Mel Lumb & Elise Cameron-Smith’s Joint Show at Saint Cloche.

Woodwork pieces by Elise Cameron-Smith. Photo by Billie Acosta.

Ceramic art by Mel Lum.

At Saint Cloche gallery in Sydney, Australian artists Elise Cameron-Smith and Mel Lumb delve into their connection to the natural environment. Together they present a quintessentially avant-garde and salient exhibition that inspires feelings of warmth and familiar comfort.

Dwell draws into the conversation, two distinct yet traditional art practices, through virtue of their mutual dialogue — the landscape. Making use of natural materials, earth, and timber, sculpted to bring about a tranquil, contemplative yet contemporary elevation of spaces we inhabit and call home. A reflection on the sense of place and the things that matter most for us in dwellings.

Mel and Elise both adopt a slow and sustainable style when creating, leaving the beauty of the materials used laid bare. Each piece is artisanal and crafted by hand without the use of moulds or templates. Finishes are refined yet reminiscent of their origins.

Mel Lumb is a ceramic artist working from a humble home studio within the Sunshine Coast hinterland. Her imprint is natural, earthy, tactile with a modern Zen-aesthetic. “This body of work for me represents a slowing down. A renewed romance with the process and exploration of the raw beauty of the Australian landscape. Each piece an expression of the places that bring me comfort, connection, and growth,” says Mel.

Elise Cameron-Smith is a Wollongong based Sculptor and timber artisan who works exclusively in the medium of wood. Best known for her timber boats, Elise is now evolving her practice to focus on creating large sculptural & functional artworks. “Our dwellings became our whole world during greater Sydney’s lockdown of 2021. By creating during this time of hibernation, I enjoyed a slower pace of making. Hand carving and shaping one-of-a-kind pieces inspired by nature. With textures and shapes reflecting the magic of the Australian coastal environments, I was inspired to create furniture & sculpture for the home that embodied the spirit of the outdoors,” explains Elise.

For more information, visit saintcloche.com/dwell.

Related: Evi O’s Debut Solo Show ‘Fantasia’ with Saint Cloche Gallery for Sydney Contemporary.

Dwell at Saint Cloche Sydney. Photo by Jacqui Turk.

[Images courtesy of Saint Cloche.]