About Melissa

Melissa Hammond is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist based in Ngunnawal Country – Canberra, Australia. She follows an intuitive practice, often aligning her work with advocacy roles and the exploration of the buried authentic self. Her main mediums are currently oil pastel, digital photography and writing where she traverses through themes of interconnectivity, conservation, empathy, and moments of awe.

Her journey to becoming an artist was by accident - literally. Having had an interest in the arts from an early age, she instead applied her creativity in a more socially acceptable career at the time in mathematical modelling and economics. Restless with the tick-a-box lifestyle and unable to fill the void that something was missing, she moved to France for a year. It was there that the whispers of a long-forgotten artist surfaced and could no longer be silenced. Unfortunately, when she returned home, she was involved in a car accident that would then change the direction of her life forever. Art was no longer a dream to come home to for Melissa, it became a necessity to survive.

“Having lost every part of my identity as I had known it to be, art happened to me.”

Trapped in her body, art gave Melissa an outlet to express the sheer level of physical and emotional pain she was in that had no words. This freedom of expression was a gift in keeping her afloat and tethered to hope. It was here where her advocacy work on invisible disabilities began as she shared her story and lived experience providing Melissa with a sense of purpose. It also connected her back to her love of trees and her advocacy work on protecting the natural environment. Both causes are very close to Melissa’s heart and fuel her with a passion and purpose to continue the important work she does in any capacity that she can.

The other side of her art practice is about reconnecting back to who she perhaps was always meant to be by using joy as her compass. Feeling lost and having to start all over again, finding her home within became essential to Melissa. When she discovered oil pastels, the path home suddenly became a lot clearer.

“I love the buttery texture and how the boundaries between colours blur and soften. Here, I let my heart take the lead and paint whatever I am drawn to as it continues to unearth joy and the core part of me that has been a long-term stranger to me.” 

Melissa made the transition to becoming a professional artist in 2020. In that time, she has exhibited in Australia, London and France, received a number of awards for her work and continues her advocacy efforts with a focus to create more kindness, empathy and lasting connections in this world.