BCB 2023 Artist Talks – Mella Shaw
Every biennial, Award artists sit down and tell us about their background and creative practice. They take us on a journey through submission, selection, and presentation of their work. In this series, we look back at artists from the 2023 Biennial as we await the announcement of the Award artists for 2025.
Sounding Line by Mella Shaw
This work focuses on the overuse of marine sonar, which has a devastating effect on deep-diving whale species that rely on echolocation (a biological sonar used by several animal species). She has created large-scale sculptural forms inspired by the whales’ tiny inner ear bones. In her talk, Mella recalls the laborious process of getting permission to use actual whale bones in her work. In a research trip made to South Uist, she had her own experience of finding a beached whale. We also gain insight into her making process and what it took to install the piece in All Saints Church.
About the artist
Mella makes objects and site-specific installations centred around recurring themes of balance, tipping points, thresholds and edges. Most recently she has made publicly engaged environmental work addressing the tipping point of the global climate crisis. She graduated from the Royal College of Art in 2013 and exhibits work nationally and internationally. She currently lives and works in Edinburgh.