Focus on muralist Mel Mc Vee

For legions of people who love and recognise her vibrant murals, Mel Mc Vee seems to thrive under the public gaze. The truth is a bit different, though.

“I function as an extravert, but in fact I’m an introvert” she laughs.” I don’t tend to do exhibitions or chase recognition”.  

In a happy twist, Mel has made a successful practice of creating bold, public landmark murals.

“Nature and community are really important to me”.

She’s been working on a project to paint the toilet blocks of Tasmania. “A Toilet Trail – like the silos! After all, the toilet block sets the first impression of a town”.  Her first commission – fittingly titled ‘Bog Beautiful’, is in George Town.

The idea grew out of ‘Nature Calls’, a vibrant and beloved makeover of an ugly lavatory block in Carlisle, WA.

Mel thrives on giving new meaning to ugly spaces like carparks, blank concrete walls – and dunnies. “Murals on public toilets change the look and feel of the street and makes it welcoming, not scary”.

At Herdsman Lake, Mel beautified a tiny 1970’s mission brown education centre - with local animals and species. It’s a large urban environmental magnet for families, swan-watchers and joggers,

The Striated Paradalote and a local dragonfly took centre-stage (and are featured in the photo here with Tash, Mel’s sister, assisting the process).

A 30-metre wall, bike racks, sculpture and tanks for the Belmont Shopping Centre highlights local flora and fauna and was a commissioned, architectural project.

Mel featured Western Australian finches. Doing community public art commissions is special. “Any age can come. You might have 3 to 4 generations painting a wall.  People say, I’m not going to do this because I’m a bad painter – then stay for 4 hours”.

In Northbridge near Perth’s CBD, YouthLink offers a setting where young people get support. Mel worked with the youth and asked how they wanted to be represented. The mandala idea was chosen and brings together the symbols and topics that were heartfelt.

Mental health, talking about their challenges, gum trees for the healing balm of nature…

They talked and painted and played music as they collectively created a mural that resonated for and represented them.