Melanie West was born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico and she grew up on a ranch near Cerrillos. Her work has been influenced by the arts, her large family, and the mountains and prairie space around her. Her studies at Lake Forest College, north of Chicago, included English, journalism and fine art.
Selected Honors
Axle Contemporary invited her to exhibit in Axle Indoors at Peters Projects and in Autophotography. The City of Santa Fe Arts Commission and Community Gallery selected her to participate in the group art and poetry show Odes & Offerings. She was included in the Through The Lens exhibit at The Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe and is in the award-winning book. She participated in the Contemporary Santa Fe photography show at the Santa Fe Community College and was selected for the Amici Della Galleria show at Verve Fine Arts in Santa Fe. Other exhibits include the juried group shows High and Dry at Texas Tech University, PhotoAustin VI of women photographers at IDEA gallery and Viewpoint 2005 at the Bosque Conservatory in Texas. One woman shows were at The Tybie Satin Davis Gallery in Santa Fe and at City Hall with the Austin Art in Public Places program. Additional group shows include the Women and Their Work gallery, the Eli Levin Studio, Hat Ranch Gallery, and Guadalupe Cultural Arts. Her work is in various private collections, The New Mexico Photo Archives and The Austin History Center.
"I have always enjoyed people and their stories; both those that are vocalized and those unspoken truths in a face, gesture or setting. Growing up in New Mexico within a large family of many artists, country parties and lively kitchen table discussions provided ample reason to speak up and join the conversation. I also felt a desire to step back, reflect and find ways to preserve and reacquaint myself with these moments. I look for activity and stillness, delight and reflection. Within the unique images remains my belief in our universal human experiences. I hope to share that with others through my photographs. To be present."
Call to talk about photo work. No texts please.
(505) 471-4995 Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505