Mela WayFinder, an artist born in Viterbo in 1981, has evolved her art form from illustration to photography, and from videos to installations. Following her graduation in Communication Sciences at "La Sapienza," she pursued the art of filmmaking at Central Saint Martins in London. Upon her return to Rome, she enrolled in the Scuola Romana di Fumetti to continue her education. Over the years, she has explored a diverse range of artistic mediums, such as documentaries, short films, photography, and interactive installations.
The epithet “WayFinder” holds the key to understanding Mela's artistic work, her art being a combination of research and exploration during a creative phase, where the artist moves from doubts and unease to the quest for solutions. There exists an innate trust in the idea of a hidden “meaning” behind everything; a sense of organization that mirrors the presence of a Cosmic Love. However, the research also serves as an invitation to engage with her artwork.
The main focus of her creations is not on achieving beauty or pleasure, but rather to entice the audience to prolong the journey of exploration initiated by the artist; to dwell in uncertainty, as it provides the fertile terrain for inner evolution. Her purpose is to encourage the individual to explore new avenues, let go of biases and be receptive to the subtle vibrations from our senses.
Mela's artistic style began with a direct and objective documentary narrative, but has now transformed into a more introspective exploration, incorporating a poetic and occasionally cryptic dimension that prompts viewers to adopt a dual perspective. One dimension allows the viewer to appreciate the harmony of forms through a sensory approach, while another invites them to delve deeper, to connect intimately with their own experiences through the artwork, thus fulfilling its “participatory” purpose.
“Dafne Crocella”
