SOLO & DUO EXHIBITIONS (selected):

2024          The Construction of Self. Kamilė Gallery – Perth CBD, Western Australia (curator V Trento, solo).

2023          Traces of the Past: Sketches of Somatic Memory. Peek-a-Boo Gallery – Northbridge, Western Australia (solo).

2021           Pulling Threads. Gallery25 Edith Cowan University – Mount Lawley, Western Australia (curator, S Starcken). 

2018           Endings are Beginnings: the Stories I Tell Myself.  November Art|Event|Space – East Fremantle, Western Australia (solo).

2016           Constructing memory. Peek-a-Boo Gallery – Northbridge, Western Australia (solo).

2016           Lines That Define. Paper Mountain Gallery – Northbridge, Western Australia (with Olga Cironis).

2015           A Momentary Consideration. Art Collective WA – Subiaco, Western Australia (solo).

2015           100 Days to Create a Narrative. Spectrum Project Space, Edith Cowan University – Mt Lawley, Western Australia (solo).

2014           Points of Reference. Peek-a-Boo Gallery – Northbridge, Western Australia (solo).

2012           Drawn Within. Peek-a-Boo Gallery – Northbridge, Western Australia (solo).

2006           Looking at Him. Emerge Artspace – Highgate, Western Australia (solo).

2005           Interplay. Perth Institute of Contemporary Art – Northbridge, Western Australia (with Tori Benz).

2004           The Art of (good) Conversation. Breadbox Gallery – Northbridge, Western Australia (with Tori Benz).

2001           Surface [at]tension. The Moores Building – Fremantle, Western Australia (solo).

2001           Intersecting Moments. The Verge Gallery – Northbridge, Western Australia (solo).

2000           Deconstructing the ‘moment’. Electronic & Computer Engineering, Curtin University – Bentley, Western Australia (solo).

GROUP EXHIBITIONS (selected):

2023-24      The Language of Colour. Mundaring Art Centre – Mundaring, Western Australia.

2023            Murajuga: celebration of an ancient cultural landscape. Holmes à Court @ No.10 – West Perth, WA (curator J Hugo). 

2022            Joondalup Invitational Art Prize. Westfield Whitford City – Hillarys, Western Australia (curator M McAlphine).

2022            Tikvah. Mossenson Galleries – Subliaco, Western Australia (curator J Baynes).

2021-22      Solastalgia. Lost Eden Creative – Dwellingup, Western Australia (curator M Tippett).

2021            Gotham Gets Pickled. Holmes à Court @No. 10 – West Perth, Western Australia. 

2021            Bunbury Biennale.  Finalist. Bunbury Regional Art Gallery, WA (curator C Lunel). 

2020           Lust for Lustre. Ellenbrook Art Centre – Ellenbrook, WA (curators G Ben-Ary & Rizzy). 

2020           In Our Nature. Lost Eden – Dwellingup, Western Australia (curator M Tippett).                 

2019           Pure Contemplation Without Knowledge 11. Nyisztor Gallery – Melville, WA (curator R Nyisztor).   

2019           Continuity and Change, Future. Mundaring Arts Centre, WA (curators G Sikich & J Boyce).   

2019           Bunbury Biennale Finalist. Bunbury Regional Art Gallery, WA (curator C Lunel).   

2018           Collective States,  Art Collective WA – Perth, WA (curator P Anselmi). 

2018           Distillation:  A Tribute to Howard Taylor.  Gallery 25.  Edith Cowan University – Perth, WA (curator L Robbie). 

2018           Pure Contemplation Without Knowledge 10.  Nyisztor Gallery – Melville, WA (curator R Nyisztor).

2018           Antipodean Encounters:  Western Australian Artists and Taiwanese Culture.  MJAC – WA.  (curator G Sikich).

2018           A Portrait of Taiwan in Perth.  City Art Space – Northbridge, Western Australia.  (curator A Y Chang).

2018           Silence Awareness Existence.  Arteles Creative Centre – Finland. 

2018           Collie Art Prize Finalist.  The Collie Art Gallery – Collie, Western Australia.

2017           Joondalup Invitational Art Award Finalist.  Lakeside Centre – Western Australia (curator G Ben-Ary).

2017           Royal Perth Art Awards Finalist.  Wilkenson Gallery – Claremont, Western Australia (curator S Murray).

2017           Scene 2017.   Nyisztor Gallery – Melville, Western Australia (curator R Nyisztor).

2017           Bunbury Biennale Finalist.  Bunbury Regional Art Galleries – Bunbury, Western Australia (curator C Lunel).

2017           Mid West Art Prize Finalist.  Geraldton Regional Art Gallery – Western Australia.

2017           Stations of the Cross.  Geraldton Regional Art Gallery – Western Australia (curator C Bushby).

2017           Stations of the Cross.  Wesley Uniting Church – Perth, Western Australia (curated by C Bushby).

2016           Artist Open House Fremantle. Fremantle – Western Australia.

2016           Pure Contemplation Without Knowledge 8. Nyisztor Gallery – Melville, Western Australia (curator R Nyisztor).

2016           Paper Mountain Art Auction 2016. Paper Mountain – Northbridge, Western Australia (curator K Pace).

2016           Scene 2016. Nyisztor Gallery – Melville, Western Australia (curator R Nyisztor).

2016           Steal. Linton & Kay Galleries (Perth City) – Perth, Western Australia (curator A Sabadini).

2016           A Dot on the Run. Courthouse Gallery (in association with Form) – Port Hedland, Western Australia.

2015-16      Bankwest Art Prize 2015 Finalist. Bankwest Art Gallery – Perth, Western Australia (curator S Murray).

2015           Painting as an Artform. Mundaring Arts Centre – Mundaring, Western Australia (curator A Sabadini).

2015           Pure Contemplation without Knowledge 7. Nyisztor Gallery – Melville, Western Australia (curator R Nyisztor).

2015           A Dot on the Run. Courthouse Gallery (in association with Form) – Port Hedland, Western Australia.

2015           Mid West Art Prize Finalist & Special Commendation. Geraldton Regional Art Gallery – Western Australia.

2014           Albany Art Prize Finalist. Albany Hall – Albany, Western Australia.

2014           Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize Finalist. South Australian Museum – Adelaide, South Australia.

2014           Florid. Turner Galleries – Northbridge, Western Australia (curators A Nicholls & C McFarlane).

2014           Canopy: Into the Forest. Mundaring Arts Centre – Mundaring, Western Australia (curators by P Lyon & A Yinsin Chang).

2014           Florid. 45 Downstairs – Melbourne, Victoria. (curators A Nicholls & C McFarlane).

2014           Gotham City,Supermarket Independent Art Fair 2014. Kulturhuset – Stockholm, Sweden.

2013           12 Days. Peek-a-Boo Gallery – Northbridge, Western Australia (curator M Dare).

2013           Sunshine Coast Art Prize 2D Finalist. Caloundra Regional Gallery – Caloundra, Queensland.

2013           Le Salon Scintillant. Moana Art Space – Perth, Western Australia (curators A Nicholls, C McFarlane & K Koivisto Wheeler).

2011           Gotham Returns. Gotham Studios – Northbridge, Western Australia (curators A Nicholls & M Dare).

2009           City of Joondalup Invitation Art Awards Finalist. Lakeside Centre – Joondalup, Western Australia.

2008           Artitude Finalist. Burswood Entertainment Complex – Burswood, Western Australia.

2007           City of Joondalup Invitation Art Awards Finalist. Lakeside Centre – Joondalup, Western Australia.

2007           Artitude Finalist. Burswood Entertainment Complex – Burswood, Western Australia.

2006           Emerge 06.  Emerge Artspace.

2005           Interplay. Perth Institute of Contemporary Art – Northbridge, Western Australia.

2004           Supermart.  Breadbox Gallery – Northbridge, Western Australia.

2004           City of Joondalup Invitation Art Awards Finalist. Lakeside Centre – Joondalup, Western Australia.

2004           Suitcase. Next Wave Festival – Melbourne and Sydney, Australia.

2003           Mine Own Executioner.  Mundaring Arts Centre – Mundaring.

1999           Minimal Collateral Damage.  John Curtin Gallery, Curtin University of Technology – Bentley.            

EDUCATION:

2019           Certificate IV in Training & Assessment (TAE40116) Trainwest – Perth. 

2015           Certificate IV Small Business Management (BSB 40407) Harlequin Business & Training Consultants. 

2010           Certificate IV in Training & Assessment (TAA 40104) Harlequin Business &Training Consultants – Western Australia.

1999           Graduated Honours. Bachelor of Arts (Visual Arts) Curtin University of Technology – Perth, Western Australia.

COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS (selected):

2019           The Fabric of Us. A collaborative research based residency between Claire Bushby and Mel Dare at Midland Junction Art Centre.

2018           Guanyin in the South West: A Portrait of Taiwan in Perth. A year-long cultural exchange resulting in 2 exhibitions plus many community and project 

                    events and workshops. Between 22 Western Australia artists and members of the Taiwanese community in Perth.  

2014-16      The exhibitions Steal and Painting as an Artform were the results of a 2 year project involving a group of Western Australia painters.

                   They discussed the viability of painting as an artform within contemporary art.

RESIDENCIES:

1999–Ongoing Artist, member of Gotham Studios since 2008 – Northbridge, Western Australia.

2019            Art Tutor. Hakea Prison – Cannington, Western Australia.

2019            Art Tutor. Casuarina (Kaartdijin Mia Centre and Education Deptment) Prison – Casuarina, Western Australia.

2019            Art Tutor. Karnet Prison – Serpentine, Western Australia.

2018            Art Facilitator. Victoria Park Centre of the Arts – Midland, Western Australia.

2018            Art Facilitator. Midland Junction Art Centre – Midland, Western Australia.

2015-17       Lecturer. Central Institute of Technology – Northbridge, Western Australia.

2016            Curator. Darlington Open Art Award 2016 – Darlington, Western Australia.

2014-16       Art Tutor. Nascha Disabilities Services – Maylands, Western Australia.

2011-13       Art Gallery Co-Manager. Peek-a-boo Gallery – Northbridge, Western Australia.

2005            Art Tutor. Special Arts Programme (Applecross Senior High School) – Ardross, Western Australia.

2002            Art Tutor. Bandyup Prison – Guildford, Western Australia.

2002            Art Tutor. Nyandi Prison – Bentley, Western Australia.

2002            Sessional Lecturer. Curtin University – Bentley, Western Australia.

2002            Art Teacher. Children’s Holiday Program. Curtin University – Bentley, Western Australia.

1998-2002  Gallery Assistant. Gadfly Galleries – Dalkeith and Nedlands, Western Australia.

PUBLIC ART COMMISSION & GRANTS:

2015            Wellington St Project. Mural (2nd floor elevator lobby) – Perth, Western Australia.

2014            Artflight, DCA (Florid – Melbourne, Australia).

2014            Artflight, DCA (Gotham City, Supermarket Independent Art Fair, Stockholm, Sweden).

2001            Grant, Arts Council of Western Australia (surface [at]tension).

COLLECTIONS:

Karratha Health Centre, Edith Cowan University, City of Joondalup, St John of God, Art Angel Project (Turner Galleries), Princess Margaret Hospital, Jo Lagerberg Collection, Old Swan Brewery and various private collections (national and international).

BIBLIOGRAPHY (selected):

Filippi, Gabriella     Tell Me What You’re Working on…. Ep. 4 Visual Artist Mel Dare. Podcast (Filippi interviews Dare), 2022

Starcken, Sue         Curatorial Statement (Pulling Threads solo exhibition catalogue), 2021.

Constantino, Theo Mapping Intricacies, Bunbury Biennale 2021 (exhibition catalogue essay), 2021.

McKay, Duncan      In Our Nature, Medium, 9 February 2020, www.medium.com/@duncanrmckay29/ion-in-our-nature-exhibition-at-lost-eden-creative-dwellingup-b7a55f37b3

–                                 Lust for Lustre (exhibition catalogue), 2020.

–                                 Bunbury Biennale 2019 (exhibition catalogue), 2019

–                                 Continuity and Change, Future (exhibition catalogue), 2019

–                                 Antipodean Encounters: Western Australian Artists & Taiwanese Culture (exhibition catalogue), 2018

Johnson, Miranda  At the intersection of art and friendship, SeeSaw Magazine, 5 December 2018.  www.seesawmag.com.au/news/at-the-intersection-of-art-and-friendship/

–                                 Antipodean Encounters:  Western Australian Artists and Taiwanese Culture (exhibition catalogue) 2018. 

Wolff, Sharne           WA artists respond to Taiwanese culture in Antipodean Encounters, Art Guide, 10 August 2018.

–                                 Arteles Residency Catalogue 2018-2015.   www.arteles.org/artists_projects

–                                 Joondalup Invitational Art Prize 2017 (exhibition catalogue).

–                                 Stations of the Cross 2017 (exhibition catalogue & website).  www.perthunitingchurch.org.au/stations/view/station-2

–                                 Mid West Art Prize 2017 (exhibition catalogue).

Wilson, Laetitia       Cultural Fabric laid bare. The West Australian Newspaper, 2 July 2016.

Spencer, Ric             How long is a line?  (Lines That Define exhibition catalogue). 2016

–                                 A Dot on the Run 2016 (exhibition catalogue).

Wilson, Laetitia        Painting down the line, The West Australian Newspaper, 24 October 2015.

Sabidini, Anna          Painting as an Artform (exhibition catalogue), 2015.

Dominey, Caitlin      100 Days to Create a Narrative, Colosoul Magazine, 26 May 2015.

–                                 Mid West Art Prize 2015 (exhibition catalogue).

–                                 A Dot on the Run 2015 (exhibition catalogue).

van der Merwe, J     Florid, Artlink vol 34 No.3, 2014.

Wilson, Laetitia        Complex goods with boxes and dead birds, The West Australian Newspaper, 12-13 July 2014.

Lyon, Peggy             Canopy:  into the Forest (exhibition catalogue), 2014.

Smith, Sally              Florid , Velvet Ant – The Culture Colony, www.velvetdesign.com/blog, 24 June 2014.

Wilson, Laetitia       Tensions between use and conservation of the land, The West Australian Newspaper, 24-25 May 2014.

Jarvis, Lucy              Strong local presence in art show, The Times, 28 May 2014.

Lucus, Matt              Florid at FortyFive Downstairs, Melbourne Art Review, www.mattolucus.com,26 February 2014.

–                                 Albany Art Prize 2014 (exhibition catalogue).

–                                 Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize 2014 (exhibition catalogue).

–                                 Le Salon Scintillant, (exhibition catalogue) 2013.

McGrath, Judith       Emerge ‘06, Art Seen in Western Australia, www.artseeninwa.com, June 2006.

Chow, Natasha        Looking at him. WA Woman Magazine. 2006

Kelleher, Travis        The Art of (good) Conversation (exhibition essay) 2004.

Blond, Simon           Arts, The Big Weekend – The West Australian Newspaper, 3 July 2004.