Internationally acclaimed artist, Mel Brigg, was born in South Africa. He is self taught and started painting full time in 1970. As well as having exhibited in England, Portugal and Singapore, he has had numerous solo and joint shows in South Africa and Australia.

The paintings by Mel are mostly an expression of his love of nature and animals along with the wide open spaces of South Africa and Australia. He is in total harmony with his environment and is compelled to paint conveying his feelings and his message.

Brigg has supported institutions such as child Welfare, Worth Wildlife Trust, Save the Rhino Foundation, Release the Detainees and various anti-apartheid exhibitions. He was the founder of the Swellendam Art Society. Since having arrived in Australia in 1993, Mel has supported the Sydney City Mission, the Variety Club of Australia, Save (Queensland branch) and Amnesty International.


“I draw inspiration from the interior regions of Australia. The vastness and intensity of light, combined with the spirituality of the indigenous peoples, are a never ending source of subject matter for me. What you see in a landscape may give you an overwhelming sense of peace, or it may threaten or intimidate you. I can paint an evocative landscape or I can make a graphic comment about social injustice, tragedy and the human condition.”
— Mel Brigg