Melissa McGill
15 March 1969 - Present
McGill is an interdisciplinary artist based in New York who creates ambitious, large-scale, site-specific art projects, and works in a variety of media, including photography, painting, drawing, sculpture, sound, light, and immersive installation. Her work connects viewers to overlooked histories and traditions, explores the conversation between the visible and the invisible, and heightens awareness of our surroundings. Melissa McGill lived in Venice from 1991-93, and returns regularly for inspiration, for work, and for friendship. Her recent project Red Regatta was inspired by her observations over more than two decades of the challenges Venice is facing given the impact of climate change and intense tourism. Melissa’s intimate knowledge of Venice and her deep personal and professional relationships in the city have made it possible for her to develop this ambitious project. She is particularly passionate about the collaborative aspect and the fact that Red Regatta involved many members of the local community. The project was intentionally designed to welcome the participation and enjoyment of local citizens and to honour their abiding love for their city. Her previous sculptural sound work, The Campi, May 2017, invoked daily life in the Venetian Campo and was presented at Carlo Scarpa’s Casa/Studio Scatturin, Università Iuav di Venezia and Giorgio Mastinu Fine Art in Venice, Italy. Constellation, 2015-2017, installed on an island in the Hudson River, New York, lit each night creating a new constellation transforming Bannerman castle ruin. McGill has exhibited her artwork nationally and internationally since 1991, including solo exhibitions at The Permanent Mission of Italy at the United Nations, New York; TOTAH, New York; White Cube, London; Power House, Memphis; Palazzo Capello, Venice; and CRG Gallery, New York.