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OCTOBER 2025
RWA Secret Postcard Auction Online bidding: Starts 24 October, live from 5pm / Ends 06 November, 10pm Kenny Gallery Exhibition: 28 October - 06 November 2025, 10am - 5pm RWA After Hours: Secret Postcard Auction Party - 6 November What is the Secret Postcard Auction? The RWA Secret Postcard Auction, held annually, invites artists to create a postcard size artwork to be auctioned, in secret. The funds raised help support the RWA, a registered charity, in our mission to create life long journeys with art. https://www.32auctions.com/SPA2025?r=1&t=all |
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OCTOBER 2025
NEW BATH ARTS CLUB 28TH October -8TH Nov The Royal Bath Literary and Scientific Institute, Queen Square, Bath |
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OCTOBER 2025
BATH SOCIETY OF ARTISTS 120TH OPEN EXHIBITION 18TH October -10TH January Well over a century old, the Bath Society of Artists has an enviable record; boasting amongst its members and associates renowned artists including Walter Sickert, John Singer Sargent, Mary Fedden, Howard Hodgkin and David Inshaw. Join us this year for the fantastic 120th open exhibition, as we celebrate the work of both established artists and emerging talent from Saturday 18th October 2025 until Saturday 10th January 2026 at the Victoria Art Gallery.Attracting almost 1,500 entries every year, the Society’s Open exhibition is a highlight of Bath’s cultural calendar, with a fantastic mix of paintings, prints and sculptures in the widest variety of styles. Packed with colour, innovation and delight, this exhibition has something for everyone. |
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OCTOBER 2025
RWA 172 OPEN EXHIBITION PRIVATE VIEW, RWA BRISTOL |
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SEPTEMBER 2025
Melville Cultural Heritage Installation (2025) An extensive piece of place making and public realm work that draws on local expertise and community storytelling to create a heritage narrative unique to the historic and ancient Melville area of Torquay, on the South Devon coast. Celebrating the significant historic and cultural associations of the area, focussing on the great literary figures who have links to the area, and the diverse and vibrant community of the present day. In a creative and community-driven effort, Melville residents are embarking on the creation of a historical art trail to tell the unique story of our area’s heritage. We’re seeking a talented artist to help us bring this captivating narrative to life. Melville boasts a rich and fascinating history, and we’re determined to shed light on our vibrant past, dispelling any outdated perceptions. This project is part of a broader initiative led by Groundwork South Trust, fostering a sense of pride and unity within the Melville community. In partnership with: Groundwork South Trust, and Groundwork’s UK; Artizan CIC. |
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SEPTEMBER 2025
CORDED LIVES 12th September - 1st November Opening this September at Green Hill Arts: Corded Lives, a group exhibition exploring the fragile threads of early family life. Curated by artist Carol Harvey, the show brings together 14 contemporary artists whose work delves into the emotional complexity of our earliest relationships. At the heart of the exhibition is Harvey’s own practice, including the haunting photograph Expectations, featuring a stark hospital cot and bed. “My practice examines what’s left behind - the traces and spaces that hold our experiences,” she explains. For Corded Lives, Harvey has gathered artists whose work resonates with themes of fragility, presence, and the passage of time. Spanning photography, sculpture, painting, mixed media, and film, the exhibition offers personal reflections on loss, separation, joy, expectation, and memory. Though each artist brings a unique voice and medium, the works are united by their emotional depth and strength of narrative. The title Corded Lives refers to the enduring, often unseen connections that shape us from our earliest moments. The “cord” may be nurturing or strained, intact or broken - but always present. Whether through longing, estrangement, love, or resilience, these ties inform our sense of self and belonging. As Harvey puts it: “There is so much of our lives that can’t be said with words. Through art, we create a hidden community - a shared history - even if no one speaks it aloud.” Full list of participating artists is as follows: Ann M Buckland, Anne-Marie Moss, Anthony Weaver, Carol Harvey, Harriette Brittaine, Ione Rucquoi, Janis Ridley, Joanna Jowett, Juliette Mills, Mellony Taper, Rachel Cornish, Sarah-May Rogers, Sharon James, Sian Davey. |
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SEPTEMBER 2025
Mellony Taper is currently exhibiting two works as part of RWA 172, the 172nd annual open exhibition at Bristol’s Royal Academy of Art fo the West of England, the RWA. Show runs 6th Sept - 28th December 2025. |
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JULY 2025
Devon Live exhibition coverage. Read article |
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JULY 3025
Winners of the THG Open 2025 announced Published on: 15 July 2025 The winners of the THG Open 2025 exhibition were announced at the opening event attended by over 140 visitors. The prize winners were selected from 104 finalists whose work is exhibited at the gallery. The gallery received over 460 entries from their open call. The Main Prize was awarded to artist Mellony Tapper for her work ‘Trousseau’. Mellony received the prize of £500 generously donated by sponsors Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood and is also awarded a solo exhibition at the prestigious gallery. Read full press release |
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March 2025
RWA Artist Network Exhibition, Royal West of England Academy, Bristol The RWA is delighted to present a biennial celebration of our Artist Network - this exhibition will showcase over 50 varied works made by our community of Artist Network members. The Artist Network is a vibrant creative community of 86 elected artists working in a variety of mediums, who meet at the RWA to socialise, share ideas and inspirations. They contribute work regularly to our fundraising events and exhibitions, and support us in the development of the RWA and our relationship with artists. Find out more |
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March 2025
Thinking Inside the Box: an immersive art exhibition in a secret barn location 15th to 30th March 2025 Open Saturdays and Sundays 11am to 4pm The inaugural Open Call exhibition at Hatch challenged artists to ‘think inside the box’. I will be exhibiting new work ‘A Trojan Horse’ |
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December 2024
The Secret App Read my interview and Bristol tips on THE SECRET APP - a community of doers and creators, creating a compendium of their secret places, for the city dwellers and explorers of their cities. https://thesecret.app/?active=home |
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December 2024
Bristol Life Magazine issue 361 ‘Trousseau’, which is currently exhibiting at the RWA 171st open exhibition at the Royal Academy Bristol, is featured in the Christmas edition of everyone’s favourite Bristol arts and lifestyle magazine. Read the Christmas issue herewww.mediaclash.co.uk/bristol-life |
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November 2024
BATH SOCIETY OF ARTISTS 119 ANNUAL OPEN EXHIBITION The 119th Bath Society of Artists annual exhibition is currently on show at the beautiful and historic Victoria Art Gallery in Bath, until 11th January, 2025. All works are for sale.
Visit in person: https://www.victoriagal.org.uk/ Browse exhibition online: https://bathsocietyofartistsonlinegallery.oess1.uk/Artwork/ViewByThumbnail |
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September 2024
‘HEIRLOOM’ SELECTED for the BATH OPEN ART PRIZE 2024 | FRINGE ARTS BATH “Heirloom” has been selected for the Bath Open Art Prize Exhibition 2024.
Now in its 12th year, the Bath Open Art Prize is among the South West’s key art events. Organised by Fringe Arts Bath, and open to all Artists working in all media and all genres, the exhibition presents an eclectic mix of high-quality, and sometimes whimsical artworks. Come discover work by the 90 Artists chosen for the exhibition, selected by this year's judges Karen Wallis and Leonie Bradley. The exhibition runs: 10th to 26th October open 11am-5pm daily at 44AD artspace, Bath BA1 1NN. https://www.fringeartsbath.co.uk/bathopen https://www.fringeartsbath.co.uk/ |
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September 2024
‘TROUSSEAU’ and ‘HEIRLOOM II’ SELECTED for the ROYAL WEST OF ENGLAND ACADEMY ANNUAL OPEN EXHIBITION 171 Two works selected for this year’s RWA Open Exhibition: ‘Heirloom II’ and ‘Trousseau’.
Works for this open were selected by an esteemed panel of judges which included Freeny Yianni, Dr Chris Stephens and Ann Christopher RA RWA Hon, together with RWA Academicians Fiona Robinson PRWA, Jessa Fairbrother RWA, Andrew Hardwick RWA, Stephen Hoskins RWA and Hamish Young RWA. This year there are over 600 works on display covering a vast array of media including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, film, sculpture and architecture by artists ranging from leading professionals to emerging talent, from across the UK and beyond. This year's invited artist is Rana Begum, RA. https://www.rwa.org.uk/collections/events/products/annual-open-exhibition-171 |
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September 2024
‘SALVER’ SELECTED for the RBSA PRIZE ‘24, ROYAL BIRMINGHAM SOCIETY OF ARTISTS ‘Salver’ has been elected for the RBSA PRIZE 2024, Birmingham Society of Artists’ biennial open prize exhibition at their wonderful gallery in the historic Jewellery Quarter. THIS year’s selectors are David Ferry PRE – President of the Royal Society of Painter-Printmakers; Yvonne Hindle: Senior Lecturer in Fine Art at Birmingham School of Art; and Tabish Khan – Art critic, writer and speaker, trustee of City & Guilds London Art School, Discerning Eye and ArtCan, @londonartcritic Show runs 3rd September - 13th October 2024. https://rbsa.org.uk/ |
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June, 2024
2024 EVOLVER PRIZE EXHIBITION Two works in the Evolver Prize exhibition. Exhibited in the Evolver Prize exhibition at ACE Arts, Somerton, 6 July - 3 August. All 50 works are featured in the current edition 138 of Evolver Magazine. |
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June 2024
WORKS from ‘ANGRY WOMEN’ SERIES SELECTED for the ERSO24 - English Riviera Womens’ Open |
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25 May - 2 September 2024
‘REVOLVER’ (DOMESTIC USE ONLY) SELECTED for the EAST QUAY OPEN: ABOUT IDENTITY East Quay Open 2024 ‘Domestic Use Only’ selected for the inaugural East Quay Open. Artists were invited to submit artworks which explore and reflect on the theme of identity. Artists were asked to consider: What does identity mean to you? What makes us who we are as individuals and/or collectively, both within ourselves and in the context of our environment? What grounds us as human beings and what is it that informs our sense of self and/otherness? Where does our sense of cultural and creative identity come from and how does this shift and morph over time? How can we reflect on the many different ways in which identity is created, challenged, and reflected? More information here This year's independent panel of adjudicators is made up of Alice Workman, Amahra Spence and Simon Morrissey, whose collective knowledge and experience is threaded through with an understanding of how art reflects who we are and has the power to bring about change. Details: digital photographs on linen, sewn into traditional domestic kitchen roller towel, suspended on oak spindle holder. (2024). Dimensions: H85cm x W60cm x D15cm |
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MARCH 23rd - 11th MAY 2024
South West Academician’s show at Thelma Hulbert Gallery |
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March 2024
Taking place alongside the Mothers in Music All Dayer at The Mount Without, Bristol, is Mothers of Invention, an exhibition of work by Bristol-based artist-mothers exploring the dualities, challenges and joys of balancing art and motherhood. More info |
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January 2024
Awarded Academicianship of the South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts Mellony taper has been selected as an Academician by the South West Academy of Fine and Applied arts. A staunch supporter of art outside of our major cities, Taper has worked and exhibited widely in her home county of Devon and across the south west and beyond. The South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts is dedicated to advancing the creation and appreciation of art in the South West of Britain. Its core membership, the Academician,, are outstanding practitioners of fine and applied arts with varied practices, backgrounds and styles. The Academy works to contribute to the cultural life of the south west region through an annual calendar of exhibitions and events. Each year the Academy holds several large-scale exhibitions to showcase the work of its members. Late in the year, the Open Exhibition invites entries from regional, national and international artists to be exhibited alongside the Academicians’ work. More>> |
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September 2023
Installation of Freedom of Movement as part of ArtPort 2023 Site-specific installation of the ‘Freedom of Movement’ triptych as part of the Portishead Arts Festival programme of community art installations during ArtPort2023. Huge thanks to Amanda Johnstone for sharing my vision for this installation and for facilitating the installation of this work in MUSE Boutique, High Street Portishead. 23-30 September. Read more >> |
‘Freedom of Movement’, Mellony Taper, 2023. ’ Installation; Muse Boutique, Portishead; part of ArtPort 2023.
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May 2023
Turning Points - through the eyes of Bristol women artists RWA BRISTOL Currently on throughout the spaces of the RWA, Turning Points is an exhibition that focuses on Bristol women artists whose work examines issues that relate to their city and women’s place within the urban landscape and beyond. Read more Find my city prints on display in the cafe on the ground floor. 100% of proceeds from sales of these limited edition works goes directly to the RWA (a registered charity). |
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April 2023
Bath Society of Artists 118th Open exhibition ‘ANGRY WOMEN I’ selected for Bath Society of Artists 118th summer exhibition, until 4th June, at Victoria Art Gallery in Bath. The Bath Society of Artists was founded in 1904. Many distinguished 20th century painters have exhibited and taken an interest in the Bath Society of Artists including Walter Sickert, John Singer Sargent, P Wilson Steer, Gilbert Spencer, William Scott, Patrick Heron, Mary Feddon, Adrian Heath and David Inshaw. |
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March 2023
Procreation Project Public Activations: Lewisham Shopping Centre
‘Freedom of Movement’ forms part of this installation currently being displayed at Lewisham Shopping Centre until 17th April as part of the Procreate Project Archive Public Activations.
Procreate Project has so far partnered with the following organisations in Oxford and London to create a public exhibition to launch the Archive: Modern Art Oxford, Ovada, The Old Fire Station, Make Space, Lewisham Shopping Centre and Mulalley, Hastings Contemporary and more to be soon confirmed to keep the commitment of publicly displaying the 230 artists who have so far uploaded their work to the Procreate Archive.
“We hope that this public installations will encourage other organisations to support our mission to increase visibility of artists who are mothers and carers. Thank you for joining the Archive and being part of this new history of art that we are creating together.” - Procreate Project.
#procreateproject #artistmother #motherartist #womeninphotography #rpswomeninphotography #mellonytaper #mellonytaperartist
Procreation Project Public Activations: Lewisham Shopping Centre
‘Freedom of Movement’ forms part of this installation currently being displayed at Lewisham Shopping Centre until 17th April as part of the Procreate Project Archive Public Activations.
Procreate Project has so far partnered with the following organisations in Oxford and London to create a public exhibition to launch the Archive: Modern Art Oxford, Ovada, The Old Fire Station, Make Space, Lewisham Shopping Centre and Mulalley, Hastings Contemporary and more to be soon confirmed to keep the commitment of publicly displaying the 230 artists who have so far uploaded their work to the Procreate Archive.
“We hope that this public installations will encourage other organisations to support our mission to increase visibility of artists who are mothers and carers. Thank you for joining the Archive and being part of this new history of art that we are creating together.” - Procreate Project.
#procreateproject #artistmother #motherartist #womeninphotography #rpswomeninphotography #mellonytaper #mellonytaperartist
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February 2023
Marking International Women’s Day at the Glasgow Gallery of Photography Women in Photography | The Glasgow Gallery of Photography | 3 - 31 March 2023 | In celebration of International Women’s Day, a month-long exhibition of women artists from across the globe working within the photographic medium. https://www.glasgowgalleryofphotography.com/ |
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January 2023
Landmark RWA Photo Open installation and preview
Landmark RWA Photo Open installation and preview
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January 2023
The ProCreate Project Archive This archive is part of Procreate Project, a pioneering grassroots arts organisation supporting the professional development of women and non-binary artists who are mothers/parents. Procreate Project creates radical models and infrastructures for better representation and accessibility, referencing and facilitating systemic change in the arts. Always at the back of the feminist discourse and the socio-cultural attention, we want to create a space for a new history of art and recognition for care work. The digitisation of the archive is part of Contemporary Practices of Collective Care (CPCC), a public programme aimed to support artist-mothers/parents and to address the intersectional struggles that disproportionately affect womxn artists with caring responsibilities during and beyond the current crisis. The programme is supported by the National Lottery, Arts Council England project grant. View the Archive: https://archive.procreateproject.com/archive/ |
Mellony Taper, Procreate Project Archive of Artist Mothers.
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DECEMBER 2023
RWA PHOTO OPEN ROYAL WEST OF ENGLAND ACADEMY, BRISTOL Freedom of Movement (Not Waving) has been selected for the RWA Photo Open. The RWA Photo Open celebrates contemporary photographic practice in all its forms, inviting submissions from artists and photographers who create photographic work or explore the nature of photography in their work. Often side-lined as a significant artform, the Photo Open aims to showcase the sheer quality and range of photographic work being produced by photographers and artists across the UK and abroad now. This exhibition is presented in association with Bristol Photo Festival. The exhibition runs from 28th January to 1st May. Further details here: https://www.rwa.org.uk/collections/art-exhibitions/products/bristol-photo-festival-rwa-photography-open-exhibition |
‘Freedom of Movement’, Mellony Taper. RWA Photo Open, Royal West of England Academy.
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SEPTEMBER 2022
ABOVE AND BELOW: THE TIME AND TIDE BELL PROJECT Three Erosion Landscapes included in Above and Below: an exhibition of new works at Artizan Gallery, Devon, that respond to the themes celebrated by the Time and Tide Bell Project https://timeandtidebell.org The exhibition includes castings and other artefacts from the @TimeandTideBells initiative, together with a programme of performances, readings, and workshops. The exhibition is in partnership with Professor Corinna Wagner (University of Exeter) and is a project supported by the UK Climate Resilience Programme and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). The Time and Bell Project was first conceived in 2008 by Marcus Vergette (artist, sculptor, bell-maker) and now includes 7 completed and 6 in progress bells along the UK coastline. The bells are public artworks, gifted to reinforce connections in local communities, between different parts of the country, between the land and the sea, between ourselves and our environment. The bells, which toll at high tides, remind us of the material and intangible relationships we have with each other and the world around us, and in doing so draw our attention to the fragility of our environment and the impact we inevitably have through our irrevocable connection to it. |
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JUNE 2022
EVOLVER PRIZE 2022 - EXHIBITION - 30 JUNE - 30 JULY
ACE ARTS, SOMERTON
EVOLVER PRIZE 2022 - EXHIBITION - 30 JUNE - 30 JULY
ACE ARTS, SOMERTON
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MAY 2022
BATH SOCIETY OF ARTISTS 117TH OPEN EXHIBITION- 14 MAY - 2 JULY VICTORIA ART GALLERY, BATH “Shindig” (Visual Archaeology) will be exhibited as part of Bath Society of Artists’ 117th annual summer show. This exhibition showcases the best of the region’s artistic talent and is a must for art lovers and collectors alike, with all works for sale. Many distinguished 20th century artists have exhibited with the Society including Walter Sickert, Patrick Heron, Mary Fedden and Howard Hodgkin. The exhibition runs from 2nd May until 2nd July at Bath’s glorious Victoria Art Gallery by Pulteney Bridge. https://www.victoriagal.org.uk/events/bath-society-artists-117th-annual-exhibition |
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MAY 2022
SPOTLIGHT PROJECT: ATG THEATRE GROUP, ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND RECOVERY FUND
Introducing “Spotlight”, one of four artist-led projects celebrating the life of regional theatres after 500 days of closure. Made possible with an award from Arts Council England’s Culture Recovery Fund and supported by Arts & Heritage.
Find out more
SPOTLIGHT PROJECT: ATG THEATRE GROUP, ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND RECOVERY FUND
Introducing “Spotlight”, one of four artist-led projects celebrating the life of regional theatres after 500 days of closure. Made possible with an award from Arts Council England’s Culture Recovery Fund and supported by Arts & Heritage.
Find out more
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OCTOBER 2021
BATH SOCIETY OF ARTISTS 116TH OPEN EXHIBITION VICTORIA ART GALLERY, BATH 1 OCTOBER - 20 NOVEMBER |
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DECEMBER 2021
AWARDED THE EXCELLENCE IN DIGITAL PRACTICE AWARD, ERWO 2021 WINNER - DIGITAL PRACTICE AWARD at the ENGLISH RIVIERA WINTER OPEN EXHIBITION, 2021. Awarded the prize for Excellence in Digital Practice for my work “Giant Prizes Fun for All”. |
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APRIL 2021
THE SOUTH WEST PHOTOGRPHY SHOWCASE THE SOUTH WEST PHOTOGRAPHY SHOWCASE | FINDING A WAY HOME 20th APRIL - 16th MAY 2021 Curated by Robert Darch One of eight spotlighted artists Multi-stranded photographic and digital artwork exhibition that considers the idea of “home” both in the traditional sense and the contemporary context in light of the global pandemic |
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OCTOBER 2020
THE SOUTH WEST ACADEMY OPEN WINNER OF THE EXETER LIVING MAGAZINE PRIZE |
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NOVEMBER 2020 ENGLISH RIVIERA WINTER OPEN | ARTIZAN GALLERY | DEVON 9th NOVEMBER _ 23rd DECEMBER 2020 |
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November 2020
REFLECTIONS | SOUTH WEST ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS 4th NOVEMBER - 31st DECEMBER 2020 Winner of the ‘Exeter Living’ Award |
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SEPTEMBER 2020
VAO AWARD FINALISTS ANNOUNCED VISUAL ART OPEN UK & INTERNATIONAL EMERGING ARTISTS AWARDS 2020 SEPTEMBER 2020 | Finalist in the digital and photographic category. |
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CREATES EMERGING ARTISTS AWARD
JUNE 2020
CREATES Gallery, Monmouth, Wales.
Finalist.
JUNE 2020
CREATES Gallery, Monmouth, Wales.
Finalist.
Black Swan Arts |SMALL AND MIGHTY EXHIBITION
DECEMBER 2019 Black Swan Arts Centre, Frome. |
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Somerset Cool interview |
Axisweb review published |
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