MELLONY TAPER
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N E W S 

​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

​December 2024
Bristol Life Magazine issue 361
Merry Bristmas!

​I’m delighted that ‘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
Limited editions of ‘Trousseau’ are available to buy via the RWA in person or online herewww.rwa.org.uk/products/mellony-taper-trousseau?_pos=1&_sid=940f5d6f2&_ss=r
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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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​October 2024
​‘MOON ON A STICK’ SELECTED for BATH SOCIETY OF ARTISTS 119 ANNUAL OPEN EXHIBITION
I’m very pleased to hear that ‘Moon on a Stick’ will be part of the Bath Society of Artists 119 Open Exhibition at Victoria Art Gallery in Bath. The show opens this weekend on 13th October and runs until 11th January. My thanks to the selection panel and to the team at @bathsocietyofartists and @victoriaartgallerybath for all their efforts in bringing this wonderful annual show together once again.

#mellonytaper #bathsocietyofartists #bathsocietyofartists2024 #bathsocietyofartistsopenexhibition #victoriaartgallerybath  #bsa119 #batharts
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​September 2024
‘HEIRLOOM’ SELECTED for the BATH OPEN ART PRIZE 2024 | FRINGE ARTS BATH
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​My 3D work “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.
Prize winners will be announced by judges Leonie Bradley and Karen Wallis on Friday 11th October. 
https://www.fringeartsbath.co.uk/bathopen
https://www.fringeartsbath.co.uk/

#BOAP2024
Thank you to organisers Fringe Arts Bath @fringeartsbath; judges @leonie_bradley and @karenwallis.art  and to the prize’s supporters for this opportunity: @Wessex_Area @thebellinnbath @studio44ad
@minervaartshop
Poster artwork: Jiawen Wei - sourcandy @wjwjw.jijiwei

#mellonytaper #bathopenartprize #fringeartsbath #batharts

September 2024
‘TROUSSEAU’ and ‘HEIRLOOM II’ SELECTED for the ROYAL WEST OF ENGLAND ACADEMY ANNUAL OPEN EXHIBITION 171
I’m delighted to have 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. 
My thanks to this year’s selectors 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 @worldoffad • 🙏
Big thanks to the @rbsagallery team for all their amazing work on this show 🙏
Show runs 3rd September - 13th October 2024.

​https://rbsa.org.uk/

#mellonytaper #rbsaprize #rbsaprize2024 #rbsa @swacart #swacart #southwestacademyoffineart
Mellony Taper ‘Salver’ RBSA Prize 2024
‘Salver’; photography, acrylic tray, 2024

August 2024
EVOLVER PRIZE EXHIBITION 2024
A quick scoot around  the 2024 Evolver Prize exhibition at ACE Arts Somerton.

June, 2024
TWO PIECES from ‘DOMESTIC USE ONLY’ SELECTED for the 2024  EVOLVER PRIZE EXHIBITION
I’m delighted to have two works in the Evolver Prize exhibition. Huge congratulations to worthy winner Zoe Barker, whose work features on the cover of Evolver Magazine issue 138. Zoe’s work and a further 49 works will be shown 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
​‘pWORKS from ‘ANGRY WOMEN’ SERIES SELECTED for the  ERSO24 - English Riviera Womens’ Open 
I’m pleased to have my ‘Angry Women’ series selected for the Womens’ Open, held annually by Artizan Collective in my home town of Torquay, Devon. The arts can transform our provincial towns, - Hastings Margate to name just two - and I’m proud to support and champion galleries and curators trying to do the same thing in my home town.
Mellony Taper English Riviera Summer Open 2024
Mellony Taper English Riviera Summer Open 2024
Mellony Taper English Riviera Summer Open 2024

May 2024
Launch Party for the East Quay Open exhibition, East Quay, Watchet.
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‘Domestic Use Only’, Mellony Taper; East Quay Open, 2024.

​25 May - 2 September 2024
‘REVOLVER’ (DOMESTIC USE ONLY) SELECTED for the EAST QUAY OPEN: ABOUT IDENTITY

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East Quay Open 2024

‘Domestic Use Only’ has been selected for the inaugural East Quay Open. Thanks to the judges and the East Quay team.
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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Saturday, 23rd March 2024. 
Opening of the South West Academician’s show at Thelma Hulbert Gallery

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MARCH 23rd - 11th MAY 2024
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March 2024
Taking place alongside the Mothers in Music All Daye 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
Ticket link
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January 2024
​Awarded Academicianship of the South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts
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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 >>
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‘Freedom of Movement’, Mellony Taper, 2023. ’ Installation; Muse Boutique, Portishead; part of ArtPort 2023.

May 2023
​Turning Points - through the eyes of Bristol women artists
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‘Renamed City’, Mellony Taper, 2023.
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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).

May 2023
​Found Cities Lost Objects: Women in the City preview

Preview evening of ‘Found Cities Lost Objects: Women in the City’ at RWA Bristol.

April 2023
​Bath Society of Artists 118th Open exhibition
Bath Society of Artists 118th summer exhibition starts today and runs until 4th June, at Victoria Art Gallery in Bath. I’m honoured that ‘Angry Women I’ is there, amongst stellar company; my third time exhibiting.
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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Angry Women I, Mellony Taper. Bath Society of Arts 118 exhibition, Victoria Art Gallery, Bath.
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March 2023
​Procreation Project Public Activations: Lewisham Shopping Centre

Delighted to be a part of this installation currently being displayed at Lewisham Shopping Centre until 17th April as part of the Procreate Project Archive Public Activations. The works are looking incredible and already making an impact; my grateful thanks to all at @procreateproject who have worked so hard to manifest these public displays.
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

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/

January 2023
​Landmark RWA Photo Open installation and preview


January 2023
The ProCreate Project Archive

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Mellony Taper, Procreate Project Archive of Artist Mothers.
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Mellony Taper, Procreate Project Archive of Artist Mothers.
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Mellony Taper, Procreate Project Archive of Artist Mothers.
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/


December 2023
​RWA Photo Open 2023

RWA PHOTO OPEN EXHIBITION 2023. Mellony Taper, Artist News.
‘Freedom of Movement’, Mellony Taper. RWA Photo Open, Royal West of England Academy.
Mellony Taper, Artist News. RWA Photo Open, RWA Bristol. “Freedom of Movement (Not Waving)”
‘Freedom of Movement’, Mellony Taper. RWA Photo Open, Royal West of England Academy.
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

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.

June 2022
​Evolver Prize 2022 | Exhibition | 30 June - 30 July 2022


May 2022
​Bath Society of Artists 117th Open Exhibition | 14 May - 2 July, 2022

“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

May 2022
​Arts Council England: “Spotlight” | May 2022

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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
Work by artist Mellony Taper
‘Spotlight’, Mellony Taper. Princess Theatre, Torquay.

March 2022
Site-specific screening 

Exclusive screening of “Urban Fables” short film work | Shown as part of window Wanderland, community arts event | Bristol | February 2022 |

October 2021
​Bath Society of Artists 116th Open Exhibition

BATH SOCIETY OF ARTISTS 116th ANNUAL EXHIBITION
1 OCTOBER - 20 NOVEMBER 2021
Victoria Art Gallery, Bath.
Work by artist Mellony Taper
Work by artist Mellony Taper

December 2021
​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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November 2021
ERWO 2021 |

ERWO 2021 | ARTIZAN GALLERY WINTER SHOWCASE | 9 NOVEMBER - 24 NOVEMBER
Artizan Gallery, Fleet Walk, Torquay, Devo
Work by artist Mellony Taper

April 2021
The South West Photography 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
Work by artist Mellony Taper

October 2020
The South West Academy of Fine Arts

Work by artist Mellony Taper

November 2020
ERWO 2020 |

ENGLISH RIVIERA WINTER OPEN | ARTIZAN GALLERY | DEVON
9th NOVEMBER _ 23rd DECEMBER 2020
Work by artist Mellony Taper

November 2020
REFLECTIONS | SOUTH WEST ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS

4th NOVEMBER - 31st DECEMBER 2020
Winner of the ‘Exeter Living’ Award

Delighted that ‘All in This Together’ has been selected for the South West Academy open exhibition

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September 2020
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 gallery summer exhibition |

SUMMER EXHIBITION
CREATES GALLERY, Monmouth.
5th JUNE - 3rd JULY 2020

Emerging artists shortlist |

CREATES EMERGING ARTISTS AWARD
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 |

‘FOUR THOUGHTS’ | INTERVIEW WITH SOMERSET COOL BLOG | NOVEMBER 2019
Read it here

Axisweb review published |

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REVIEW OF LISA SCANTLEBURY’S ‘MANY LONG SLOW WAITS’ at RWA
NOVEMBER 2019
Published Axisweb.org
©️ Mellony Taper 2025. All rights reserved.
  • BIO
  • EXHIBITIONS
  • SELECTED WORKS
  • NEWS
  • PRESS