About
Melanie Gooi is a Malaysian-born, Singapore-based artist who began her creative journey later in life honouring decades-long forgotten interest to be an artist. Since beginning her artistic practice, it has unexpectedly become a healing journey of self-discovery and brought on a new sense of aliveness in her.
She believes that the curative power of art stems from its ability to bring awareness into one’s inner world, shedding light onto thoughts, feelings, and, in particular, unearthing hidden emotions. When engaging in art-making sessions, she often feels transported into another world that brings about an uplifting calm energy.
Primarily self-taught, she is known for her minimalist, abstract approach to painting in which she manipulates layers of translucent acrylic inks on raw canvas. Continuously experimenting, Melanie’s work has been featured in the Unicorn Factory’s digital magazine and several local exhibitions; Fluid Spaces show Edition 1 & 2, at Art Outreach Gallery and at 67 Aliwal Street respectively and Liquid Light exhibition at Maya Gallery.
Lee Mei [ 丽 媚 ] is the given name by her maternal grandmother, and she often uses it as her artist signature.
Artist Statement
My first meditation retreat years ago inspired my minimalist approach to painting and focus on abstract forms. I aim to reconnect with and convey the calmness and tranquillity of that experience through my work. In the moments when I encounter emotions in contrast to the peace and serenity I seek to imbue in my art, by practicing self-awareness, I embrace whatever feelings show up and express them through my creative practice.
Over the years, my paintings matured in tandem with my growth as a person and an artist. Some of my works resemble abstract landscapes depicting my mental and emotional world that felt unpleasant and perhaps had an underlying anxiousness about it. And at other times, when I feel calm and at ease, simplicity and spaciousness emerge in the paintings.
I currently create work with acrylic paint, acrylic inks, and medium on raw canvas. Intuitively, I tend to use colours known to have calming and healing qualities, such as blues and greens. My painting practice is very much intertwined with my mindfulness and meditation practice. Thus, making art has become an expression of being with myself to observe and understand my inner world that feelings are feelings, and, naturally, those feelings come and go.
The act of repetitively manipulating paints, layers, and bleeds is meditative in itself and allows me to gently accept the imperfections in my art and in myself. With acceptance and self-awareness, I am able to connect with the inner wisdom that lies within my heart, thus appreciating and trusting there is beauty in the art I make, however imperfect I perceive them to be.
These experiences and realizations have unexpectedly influenced my personal wellbeing and growth, for which I am very grateful.