Issue 50 Aurora Magazine September 2022

art trail
COLLABORATING CREATIVES
Meleah Farrell and Narelle Clark
STORY SERENA KIRBY | PHOTO SERENA KIRBY
Tucked away down a tree-lined track in Kronkup is the cosy and carefully curated gallery
of Meleah Farrell and Narelle Clark. Initially a singular space, designed as the studio and
gallery of photographer Meleah, Narelle added her pottery and presence mid last year
and both say the collaboration has been a resounding success.
“We first met at a workshop I was running via my off-shoot business called ‘The
Seasonal Creative’,” Meleah explains.
“Not only did I really like Narelle but I loved what she was making as we share the same
work aesthetics. You could say we then started stalking each other on social media. I’d
always wanted someone to join me in the annual art trail exhibition so I asked Narelle if
she’d like to team up. Things have simply grown from there.”
So good was the partnership, and the work they displayed, that the two women took
out the highly sought after People’s Choice Award for best exhibition at last year’s
Southern Art & Craft Trail.
“It was such a success and brought in lots of new people as there’s a cross pollination
that happens when creatives get together in one space,” Meleah says. “We’re really
in sync with each other and have developed a close friendship. Being an artist can
be isolating so the companionship and ability to share the load of running a gallery is
invaluable.”
But there are significant differences in how the pair reached the place they are now.
Meleah has been immersing herself in photography for more than two decades and
was always mad about photography as a kid.
“After doing a course in art and media photo imaging I went to work with one of Perth’s
leading photo printers. I got to meet all kinds of professional photographers and see
their work close up. I’d be out shooting whatever I could whenever I could, just to get
experience.”
With a vision in mind to open her own gallery, Meleah moved to the Great Southern in
2011 and opened the gallery just 12 months later. She also fine-tuned her photographic
style which she says is “unconventional and abstract”.
“I’d also describe my work as wistful, romantic and painterly. I use a range of print
mediums from fine art paper to watercolour paper and sizes range from small postcards
to large wall pieces. I love images that draw the viewer in and mainly photograph
elements of nature. I’m also exploring shapes and forms and how can you not be
inspired by where we live?”
Narelle on the other hand is as local as you can get. Her family have lived in the
Lowlands/Torbay area for three generations and she has more than 24 cousins within a
one hour radius of her home. The newcomer to her life has been her pottery.
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Collaborating creatives Meleah Farrell and Narelle Clark. Fade Into You by Meleah Farrell. Narelle Clark’s ceramic pieces are in muted organic tones.
16 LOVE LOCAL