Melissa Kenihan is a landscape painter from Melbourne who will be at the Salamanca Arts Centre for the month of April after being awarded the Hadley’s Residency Prize in 2023.

My work explores the landscape from an aerial perspective, a process that begins out in nature where I photograph spectacular vistas using a drone. These photographs then become key reference material for my work back in the studio. For me this perspective offers insight into the way nature’s elements interconnect and depend upon one another for their survival. It’s an incredible and beautiful balance of relationships. I love the quote by Rachel Carsen who wrote, “In nature, nothing exists alone”. It reminds us of the importance of protecting and caring for our natural world. My time in nature provides a deep sense of reverence and inspiration. It’s not only a muse but also a teacher, offering boundless opportunities for creative expression and environmental advocacy.