About
Melissa Ritchie is a contemporary artist, known for her unique portraits, and realist still life artwork. Melissa has been a finalist in many Australian Art Prizes including the Archibald, Eutick, Shirley Hannan and Portia Geach.
Influenced by graphic art and design, Melissa portrays a sitter's by painting them in a role, sometimes fictional, that mirrors elements of their own true life character. Most recently, Melissa has been working on a portrait series of stand up comedians.
Her still life artworks feature mundane everyday items or nostalgic curios. These items often form allegories, representing meaningful elements in one’s life or capture a single moment in time. Melissa Ritchie’s still life artworks are a visual feast of icons, brands and symbols, hinting at a narrative. Her realistic oil paintings and drawings showcase collections of curios and clutter, representing a slice in time.
- 2019 – Finalist in the Brisbane Portrait Prize
- 2019 – Finalist in the Kilgour Prize
- 2018 – Finalist in the Shirley Hannan National Portrait Prize
- 2018 – Finalist in the EMSLA (Eutick Memorial Still Life Award)
- 2016 – Finalist in the Archibald Prize
Please contact the artist to arrange your visit.
Featured Works
Game Face (Portrait of Nazeem Hussain)
Rhys Smart Mouth (Portrait of Rhys Nicholson)
Fabulous Moustachio'd Lady (Portrait of Adam Richard)
Onion Skinning (Portrait of Matt Okine)
Arsenal for Today (Grey)
Hers
Dear J. Hello, Goodbye.
Amongst the Roses
The Fox, the Toys and the Sucker
Fruit Tingles (Lifesavers on Yellow)
Musk (Lifesavers on Pink)
Pep O Mint (Lifesavers on Blue)
Arsenal for Today (Red)
Arsenal for Today (Gold)
