We recently visited Melanie Tomlinson’s exhibition, Ghost Horses and Guns, at Wolverhampton Art Gallery. Melanie has done several workshops with Shelanu so the group were pleased to see her solo exhibition. Inspired by urban folk tales and environmental issues, Melanie works with finely illustrated printed metal to create intricate three-dimensional sculptures, some with moving parts.

We were particularly interested to read about Melanie’s project with The Petals group, a women’s group held at Hope Community Centre in Heathtown, Wolverhampton. They were looking at the decorative trays in Wolverhampton Art Gallery japanned ware collection. The women were inspired by the richness of pattern and natural imagery in the trays. Using brass, copper and aluminium they made their own decorative frames for mirrors for their homes.

Shelanu members were really interested in the use of enamel on the thin metal sheet.

Here are some thoughts from the group about the exhibition:

Ruth: I like the automata Ghost Horses – more interesting with the movement but no power to make it work apart from your own. I love the print on metal.

Amy: Delicate and lovely. The shapes are unusual & I like the way they fit together like the butterflies

Yeelah: I like the The Fun Fair & the Vanishing Woman – intriguing title the way she has portrayed each story has made it more fantastical.

Kiki: Birds, movement, freedom joyful. Happy, colourful, peaceful.