Melanie Koolmatrie turned to painting as a form of art therapy and discovered a talent that has set her on a new career path.
The proud Ngarrindjeri woman and former dancer has embraced the visual arts, especially painting, and currently has her first major exhibition, Water Stories, at St Peters Town Hall in Adelaide.
“It’s amazing and quite surreal to walk into the gallery and see my work,” Melanie, 39, says.
“I feel proud - and proud that my daughter can see it and see her stories in the work.”
Water Stories features 17 abstract paintings inspired by Melanie’s Indigenous heritage and culture and her close association with the Coorong landscape.
Raised in the Aboriginal community of Raukkan near Meningie, Melanie says her community’s cultural stories and the local landscape are big influences on her work.
“I can look at photos or go back home and a certain landscape or story will inspire me and I do my own take on it,” she says.
Melanie first started painting six years ago to help her process “a lot of loss and grief”.
“I just decided one day that I needed to do something creative that gets me out of my mind and brings back joy,” she says.
“I bought a canvas and I’ve been painting every day since. I believe in art, that it’s healing and that people need it in their lives.”
During COVID she was able to dedicate more time to painting and resolved to go to arts school as soon as the pandemic was over.
She enrolled at TAFE SA’s Adelaide College of the Arts where she has completed a Certificate IV in Visual Art and, after a year-long break, is returning to complete the Diploma in Visual Art in 2026.
“I took this year off to look inwards and think about my personal practice but what’s important about coming back to AC Arts is I want the Diploma. I’ve never had a Diploma in anything and it means a lot to me,” she says.
“I learn so much at AC Arts and being around your peers, you get feedback and different perspectives and it can push you and help you grow.
“I’m a painter and weaver, but it’s important to learn about other mediums. I feel like whatever you’re learning it helps your practice and gives you a strong foundation as an artist.”
Melanie says her visual arts practice has also had a positive influence on her daughter Angel, 14, who draws every day and wants to be an animator when she finishes school.
This year, Melanie has been mentored by Ku Arts, an organisation focused on the development of Aboriginal artists through creative and professional development opportunities.
“They’ve been my mentors and really believed in me. It’s really helped me grow and push myself to the next level,” she says.
Ku Arts is presenting Water Stories, with paintings by Melanie Koolmatrie and sculptural works by the artists of Arts Ceduna at The Gallery at St Peters Town Hall (101 Payneham Rd, St Peters) until 3 January.