Margaret Mellis - Modern Constructivism

Abstract from the rich oeuvre of Margaret Mellis (1914 - 2009). In special colour scheme, typical of her work.

Mellis was a Scottish artist whose work is highly regarded and whose abstract, colourful work in particular has featured in major exhibitions, a TV programme and several books such as 'A Life in Colour'.

Modern Constructivism In 1980 Mellis started making constructions from found pieces of driftwood. The similarities in color and design with the 'flat' work offered here are clearly visible. See last 3 photos.


Condition work: very good. The 'Mellis colour scheme' has been beautifully preserved. No paint loss or craqilé.
On the back some old damp spots and stains, without affecting the artwork itself; the canvas is currently dry, but may have hung too flat against a wall at an earlier period. The canvas is attached to a wooden stretcher frame with side slats, which slats also serve as a frame. See photos.

More information about the artist:

Margaret Nairne Mellis (1914 - 2009) was one of the last survivors of the group of modernist artists who gathered in St Ives, Cornwall, in the 1940s
Mellis studied at the Edinburgh College of Art from 1930 to 1934.
Throughout her career she was known as a Colourist. While in St Ives under the influence of Nicholson she began to work abstractly in relief and collage. In the middle of the last century her work became somewhat more realistic with still lifes and landscapes. However she soon returned to abstraction or 'flattened landscapes of pure colour'.

Books: Margaret Mellis: A Retrospective, Margaret Mellis: A Life in Colour
TV shows: Margaret Mellis: A Life in Color
Exhibitions: A major exhibition was held at Newlyn Art Gallery in 2001, and in 2008 a documentary Margaret Mellis a Life in Colour was made to accompany a major retrospective of her work at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Norwich. In 2011 her work appeared as a major feature of the Tate St.Martin CreedAgnes Martin. Her work is held in major collections including the Tate Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Arts Council Collection, The Fleming Collection, City Art Centre, Edinburgh and the National Galleries of Scotland.
In 2023, her work was included in the exhibition Action, Gesture, Paint: Women Artists and Global Abstraction 1940-1970 at the Whitechapel Gallery in London.

Pick up/Courier/Shipping
Shipping by us by postal parcel is a possibility. If you want, we will do that and very carefully and insured. Only to the Netherlands, Belgium or Germany. No shipping to other countries.
Due to size and fragility, preferably to be picked up in Diepenheim. You can then also visit the Art City Diepenheim and the Twentse cultural landscape. Pick up is not urgent.
It is also possible to use the art courier Swift or another courier of your choice.