Melroberts.net
Manchester Day Parade 2012 with Junk Jam
Curriculum Vitae
I am a multi-disciplinary artist and have contributed professional work in the carnival, online and digital realms since 2016. I am also a facilitator of communication skills at Leeds Institute of Medical Education, Leeds University.
My commissions include:
Designing and creating a 4-metre sprung wire and copper sheet head commissioned by Cabasa for Walk The Plank and Manchester City Council, part of the Manchester Day Parade and lead image 2019,
Designing and making a 3-metre wirework head also for Cabasa, 2022,
In 2023 I was commissioned to make a green man puppet for Jack Drum Arts, Durham to celebrate the King's Coronation. He was made with willow and repurposed materials. I also lead two batik making sessions with the local community to make his cloak.
Commissions from Global Grooves NPO and included in their roaming acts;
a winged horse puppet, Val the Valkyrie, 2018,
three Floating Face puppets with projections, interactivity and additional support from Manchester International Festival. These have also been used as static installations, 2018-2021
Sophiya, a Ukrainian Puppet. 2022
I was also invited to sculpt heads for Tony Mason's Nana 2020 and The Hare 2019, also part of Global Groove's roaming acts. These puppets have been seen at Blue Dot Festival, Manchester Mega Mela, Kendal Kalling, Cleethorpes Festival of Flight, Bournemouth Arts by the Sea, The Queen's Platinum Jubilee and many other locations across the UK.
Training
In 2017 I was invited to take part in Global Grooves' fantastic Creating Carnival programme where we learned many puppet making techniques and created puppets with Tony Mason, Iola Weir, Clary Salandy of Mahogany, Keryth Ogden of Handmade Parade, and Mike Green.
I have also had many commissions for headdresses from Preston Caribbean Festival, Juba Da Leo, Bang Drum, Cabasa and Global Grooves.
Workshops
I enjoy leading workshops in silk batik, withy lanterns, bead making, clay sculpture, potters wheel amongst many other art & craft techniques.
Voluntary Work
Mossley Community Arts 1990-1999.
Lead performer, constructing giant puppets, liaising with the press, rigging fireworks.
Academic Qualifications
Postgraduate Certificate in Education, Manchester University, 2002.
Bachelor of Arts (2:1) in Three Dimensional Design, Manchester Metropolitan University, 1996.