Melinda Young
Melinda Young is fascinated by the potential for unexpected narrative, finding inspiration in architecture, the landscape, and her everyday surroundings. She takes delight in the colours and textures she encounters on her travels through life and this is reflected in her work. Exploring the beautiful coastal environment around her home in Thirroul, on the south eastern coast of Australia, is a constant creative stimulus for a maker who is attracted to the tiny details – the patina and beauty of the everyday.
Melinda has a Master of Visual Arts from Sydney College of the Arts and is currently undertaking a cross-disciplinary PhD in Human Geography and Creative Arts at the University of Wollongong, she has exhibited extensively in Australia and overseas since 1997, her work is held in public collections in Australia and Norway has been included in numerous publications. In addition to her jewellery practice Melinda engages in work as a university lecturer, curator, writer and workshop convenor.
From 2025
An inveterate gleaner, the re-use and re-working of found materials is central to my practice. Some materials bring an existing narrative to the work providing a point of connection for viewers, wearers and frequently for myself as the maker. My work reflects the sensations inherent in making and wearing - the texture, colour and sound of materials are important and selected with care. I am motivated by the transformative power of adornment and its ability to make a statement through the sharing of stories as a form of quiet activism.
Works in the ongoing Future Relic series are made from marine plastics collected near my home on Dharawal Country, NSW and at Yirrkala in Arnhem Land which drift on the currents from faraway places to pollute the beaches, along with car debris collected on the APY Lands in South Australia. The work reflects the contrast between the natural materials and ancient cultures bound up with this land and the imposition of other places upon it via the movement of debris and people across the oceans.
Future Relic - Collector Necklace, 2025 $220
Marine debris (lolly sticks, glow-in-the-dark fishing tackle beads,
quick change fishing rig, tile spacers and other unidentifiable plastic fragments),
shell, on silk thread + whatever you add whilst wearing… 135cm circumference
2 Future Relic Neckpieces - Pukatja, APY Lands/Shady & Sunny Beach,
Yirrkala, NT/Dharawal Country, NSW. 2015/2017/2024/2025
Neckpiece I, 40cm long $360
Plastic marine debris, translucent sunglass arm, orange car blinker light
& red car brake light, coral, 925 silver coral imprint charm on bushstring
Neckpiece II, 45cm long $360
Plastic marine debris, black sunglass arm, orange car blinker light & red car brake light,
coral, 925 silver driftwood imprint charm on bushstring
Port Earrings - Future Relic, Marine debris (red plastic), brass, silver, 4.5x2x2cm $220
Flotsam and jetsam Earrings - Future Relic, Marine debris (multicoloured plastic), Silver, 4.5x2x2cm $220
Starboard Earrings - Future Relic, Marine debris (green plastic), silver, 4x2x2cm $220
Fleeting impression driftwood ring - swirl, Silver, size R½ top 2 x 2.5cm $600
Fleeting impression driftwood ring, Silver, Size P½ top 2.8 x 2.5cm $600
Images: Melinda Young
From 2024
All that glisters... a vessel to wear I, 2024; Coiled vessel on hand twined string - Lurex, jute, blue polyester cord $220
All that glisters... a vessel to wear II, 2024; Coiled vessel on hand twined string - Lurex, jute $220
All that glisters... a vessel to wear III, 2024; Coiled vessel on hand twined string - Lurex, jute $220
From 2023
TOP ROW: Birdsketch pendant I (5 x 4.5cm). Oxidised 925 silver, cotton cord $250
Birdsketch pendant II (4.5 x 4.5cm). Oxidised 925 silver, cotton cord $250
Birdsketch pendant - LONGBEAK (6 x 1cm). Oxidised 925 silver, cotton cord $250
BOTTOM ROW: Vesselsketch pendant - URN (5 x 2.5cm). Oxidised 925 silver on chain with semi-precious gems $280
Little Birdsketch pendant (2 x 1cm). 925 silver on oxidised 925 silver chain with semi-precious gems $250
Littlest Birdsketch pendant (1.5 x 1cm). 925 silver on oxidised 925 silver chain with semi-precious gems $250
Vesselsketch pendant - WOVEN (4 x 2.5cm approx.). Oxidised 925 silver on chain with semi-precious gems $280 each
From 2022
A-Drift Neckpiece - waxed driftwood, hand-spun linen cord $280
Driftwood Ring Two (nugget) - oxidised sterling silver $395
Driftwood Ring One (mask) - oxidised sterling silver $450
Driftwood Ring Three (long) - oxidised sterling silver $395
Grain; Earrings, patinated copper, oxidised stg silver $350
Weave; Earrings, oxidised stg silver $365
Trace; Earrings, oxidised stg silver $350
Knit; Earrings, oxidised stg silver $365
Carve; Earrings, oxidised stg silver $350
Fringe; Earrings, oxidised stg silver, antique coral $395
From 2021
Dietes grandiflora - Wild Iris Pendant – Sterling silver & oxidised sterling silver on cord $395
Dietes grandiflora - Wild Iris Pendant - Sterling silver on cord $350
Dietes grandiflora I - Wild Iris Brooch - Patinated bronze, sterling silver $250
Dietes grandiflora II - Wild Iris Brooch - Patinated bronze, sterling silver $250
Dietes grandiflora III - Wild Iris Brooch - Patinated bronze, sterling silver $250
From 2020
Pebble Brooch 1 – Shou sugi ban Huon Pine (waxed), 925 silver $120
Pebble Brooch 2 – Shou sugi ban Huon Pine (waxed), 925 silver $125
Pebble Brooch 3 – Shou sugi ban Huon Pine (waxed), 925 silver $135
Pebble Brooch 4 – Shou sugi ban Huon Pine (waxed), 925 silver $150
Pebble Brooch 5 – Shou sugi ban Huon Pine (waxed), 925 silver $175
Photography: Melinda Young
From 2019
Beachcomber Pendants (Cast from Norfolk Pine), oxidised stg silver & bronze on cord
Tiny, $125
Small, $145
Longish $185
Longest $195
Beachcomber Rings, Oxidised stg silver
Double bud, $320
Triple bud, $285
Triple bud, $285
Five buds, $375
Eight buds, $475
From 2018
 Deconstructed Hydrangea Neckpiece. Silk, plant foliage, amethyst, labradorite,
925 silver, glass $395
Pink Tip Neckpiece. Oxidised 925 silver, coral, jade, artificial plant foliage $425
Sand Studies (pink blush) Brooch; Freshwater pearls, shell, coral, agate, smoky quartz, gold leaf, 925 silver, paint, recycled marine ply $420
Sand Studies (yellow haze) Brooch; Freshwater pearls, shell, agate, smoky quartz, 925 silver, paint, recycled marine ply $375
Sand Studies (peach flush) Neckpiece; Freshwater pearls, shell, coral, agate, smoky quartz, paint, recycled marine ply, silk thread, acrylic toggle (adjustable) $395
Sand Studies (grey drift) Neckpiece; Freshwater pearls, shell, coral, agate, smoky quartz, moonstone, paint, recycled marine ply, silk thread, acrylic toggle (adjustable) $395
From 2017
 Deciduous Neckpiece $300
Oxidised stg silver, serpentine, jade, aventurine, ceramic, glass, tourmaline, artificial plant foliage
 Dark Cherry Neckpiece $495
Oxidised stg silver, garnet, lava, onyx, artificial plant foliage
Melinda Young images courtesy the artist
From 2016
 Seascape neckpieces - Copper, silver, gesso, coloured pencil, hand spun linen cord $495 pair
Seascape Earrings - Copper, 9ct yellow gold, gesso, coloured pencil $275 per pair
From 2015
6 x Landlines Neckpieces $250 each
Copper, 925 silver, fine silver, gesso, coloured
pencil, hand spun linen cord
Train Neckpiece. Found nail, marine ply, paint, waxed linen thread $295
The Fabric of Days, of Years, Neckpiece. Fine silver, oxidised 925 silver, marine ply, paint, waxed linen thread $385
Haze Neckpiece. Marine ply, paint, waxed linen thread $250
Blistered Brooch 925 silver, marine ply, paint $295
Across the plain Brooch. 925 silver, marine ply, paint $250
Evening Bloom Brooch. Found earring, 925 silver, marine ply, paint $295
From 2013
And stories of your dreams I Neckpiece 2013, Labradorite, metal bells, 925 silver $380
And stories of your dreams II Neckpiece 2013, Smoky quartz, labradorite, metal bells, 925 silver $380
I pressed my fingers into yours Neckpiece 2013, Air dry clay, antique and dyed coral, 925 silver $350
You pressed your fingers into mine (and I blushed) Neckpiece, ceramic, antique coral necklace, fine silver 2013 $320
You pressed your fingers into mine Neckpiece 2013, ceramic, panyas seeds, coral, fine silver $320
Across the rooftops Neckpiece 2013, Plastic game pieces, freshwater pearls, coral, amber, 24ct gold, silk thread (adjustable length) $350
Banana Chain Neckpiece 2013, Toy banana, artificial plant foliage, jade, glass & plastic beads, freshwater pearls, 925 silver, 24 ct gold, paint, silk thread $380
From 2011
Melinda Young, Redhead Spine Neckpiece, 2011, $430
Cake Decorating Stamens, Glass, Silk Thread
Melinda Young, Deflowered Darkly (Wedding Garland) Neckpiece, 2011, $410
Artificial Plant Foliage (Indian Wedding Garland), Wood, Plastic, Waxed Linen Thread
Melinda Young, Kirsch Neckpiece, 2011, $1,040
Fake Cherry, Fake Grapes, Artificial Plant
Melinda Young, Glistening Trickles Neckpiece, 2011, $550
Fake Grapes, Artificial Plant Foliage, Garnets, Stone, Nephrite, Wood
Melinda Young, Brown Triple Spiker Neckpiece, 2011, $280
Artificial Plant Foliage, Wood, Jade, Waxed Linen Thread
Melinda Young, Acid Double Spiker Neckpiece, 2011, $380
Artificial Plant Foliage, Jade, Silk Thread
Melinda Young, Bushy Neckpieces I-III, 2011, $280 each, $750 set
Artificial Plant Foliage, Jade, Wood, Waxed Linen Thread
Melinda Young, Succulent Button Neckpiece, 2011, $480
Artificial Plant Foliage, Wood, Smoky Quartz, Silk Thread
Melinda Young, Succulent Ovoid Neckpiece, 2011, $480
Artificial Plant Foliage, Wood, Smoky Quartz, Silk Thread
Melinda Young, Flower Cup Garland, 2011, $580
Artificial Plant Foliage, Nephrite, Glass, Plastic, Coral, Wood, Costume Jewellery Finding, Silk Thread
Melinda Young, Shield Neckpiece, 2011, $360
Artificial Plant Foliage, Vintage Sequins, Costume Jewellery Finding, Nephrite, Plastic, Wood, Silk Thread
Melinda Young, Black Grape Neckpiece, 2011, $480
Artificial Plant Foliage, Fake Grapes, Onyx, Lava, Stone, Agate, Coral, Glass, Wood, Silk Thread, Polystyrene, Glitter
Melinda Young, Spined Brush Neckpiece, 2011, $420
Artificial Plant Foliage, Glass, Coral, Wood, Silk Thread
Melinda Young, Flocked Brush Neckpiece, 2011, $460
Artificial Plant Foliage, Glass, Coral, Wood, Silk Thread
Melinda Young, Flocked Brush Brooch, 2011, $300
Artificial Plant Foliage, Coral, Wood, 925 Silver, Paint
Melinda Young, Double Skeleton Nerckpiece, 2011, $550
Artificial Plant Foliage, Stone, Lava, Nephrite, Coral, Oxidised 925 Silver, Enamel Paint
Melinda Young, Drop Pom Neckpiece, 2011, $530
Artificial Plant Foliage, Coral, Mother of Pearl, Freshwater Pearls, Peridot, Costume Jewellery Finding, Wood, 925 Silver
Melinda Young, Spiker Lariat, 2011, $530
Artificial Plant Foliage, Tourmaline, Aventurine, Nephrite, Glass, Plastic, Coral, Wood, Silk Thread
Melinda Young, Puff Ball Brooch, 2011, $320
Artificial Plant Foliage, Wood, 925 Silver, Paint
Melinda Young, Puff Ball Neckpiece, 2011, $530
Artificial Plant Foliage, Mother of Pearl, Nephrite, Freshwater Pearls, Tourmaline, Wood, 925 Silver
Melinda Young, Green Triple Spiker Neckpiece, 2011, $320
Artificial Plant Foliage, Glass, Plastic, Silk Thread
Melinda Young, Coral Bloom Brooch, 2011, $300
Artificial Plant Foliage, Plastic, Wood, 925 Silver, Paint
Melinda Young, Spurt Brooch, $320
Coral, Plastic Costume Jewellery, Wood, 925 Silver, Paint
Melinda Young, Pollen Garland, 2011, $400
Artificial Plant Foliage, Glass, Plastic, Wood, Silk Thread
Melinda Young, Skeleton Neckpiece, 2011, $480
Artificial Plant Foliage, Stone, Lava, Nephrite, Coral, Tourmaline, Oxidised 925 Silver
Melinda Young, Kirsch Royale Neckpiece, 2011, $1,170
Fake Cherries, Fake Grapes, Artificial Plant Foliage, Garnets, Glass, Wood, 24ct Gold |
