Melissa Keslake is a self-taught 35mm film photographer and artist hailing from Townsville, a small town in North Queensland, Australia.
Her journey into the world of photography began with a profound passion for capturing the raw female form, often utilising backdrops as captivating as the models. Over the past decade, Melissa has dedicated herself to refining her signature photography style and vision, drawing inspiration from her personal experiences, attraction, art, travels, vintage magazines, beauty and the stories of those around her.
This eclectic mix of influences culminated in a unique artistic vision is what sets her work apart. Melissa's inaugural series of mixed-media fine artworks seamlessly blend her own captivating film photography images with the chaos of acrylic paint, pigments and inks.
As time passed, she came to recognise a profound significance within her images, transcending mere sexualization and visual gratification. Each body, every form, became a conduit for compelling narratives, leading her to grasp the profound potency of empowerment and liberation as a message. At the heart of Melissa's artistic journey lies a deep drive and commitment to using her craft as a platform for encouraging confidence, self-expression, and just simply owning who you are. In a world that often objectifies and commodifies the female form, she views art as a powerful tool for reclaiming both bodies, stories and narrative.
Today, Melissa continues to produce alluring images from locations around Victoria and Australia, turning them into works of art from her small home studio in Melbourne, where she invites audiences to explore the beauty and complexity of the human experience through her evocative imagery.