Gabriela Machado Mello
Location
Brazil, South America
About
Gabriela Mello (she/her) is a Latinx multidisciplinary artist born in Brasil and raised between New York City and Fortaleza, Brasil. As the owner and director of Warrandyte Pottery, a gallery and ceramics studio, she is dedicated to fostering community and exploring the nuances of clay. With a Master’s in Therapeutic Arts with a specialization in Arts-Based Research and an Advanced Diploma in Rudolf Steiner Education, Gabie’s work reflects her commitment to understanding the intricate connections between individuals and their environments.
Her formal training in ceramics began in 2008 at the New York Studio School and she has since honed her craft through various workshops and studios in Brasil, New York, Europe and Australia, enriching her arts practice.
Gabie’s arts practice is deeply influenced by her attunement to the unique ways we navigate the world. Through emergent mark-making, texture, color, form, and material, each piece invites viewers to explore the multifaceted relationships that shape our existence. Through her art, she hopes to foster dialogue and reflection, creating a space where community and creativity intersect, and the transformative power of clay becomes a medium for personal and collective expression. Celebrating the beauty and complexity of connection and belonging, her work embodies the relationality that defines the human experience.
Artist Statement
Exploring Identity and Memory through Clay: An Arts-Based Critical Autoethnographic Inquiry
In this presentation, I will share insights from my Master’s thesis in Therapeutic Arts, which employs a critical autoethnographic approach to explore the feeling of belonging experienced as an immigrant through the medium of clay and memory. This arts-based inquiry examines the interplay between my studio practice, my relational experience with clay, and my journey of self-discovery through art-making.
Utilizing frameworks such as critical autoethnography, MIECAT’s method of therapeutic arts inquiry, and researcher reflexivity, I delve into the complexities of my cultural identity and sense of belonging. I will discuss how relational ethics and reflexivity provide valuable insights into the broader implications of understanding diverse identities, especially in postcolonial contexts.
The artefact created in these inquiries reveal critical knowledge, including the limitations of traditional therapeutic modalities that often overlook the experiential nuances of multicultural identities. Ultimately, this research demonstrates how artistic practices can challenge dominant narratives, reclaim cultural heritage, and foster a deeper sense of belonging. Through this inquiry, I aim to inspire dialogue about the transformative potential of art in navigating identity and belonging within complex cultural landscapes.