Melanie Calis (35) is an Amsterdam-based artist. Her paintings are visual explorations of the unseen; the emotions, human connections, and inner landscapes that shape who we are. In her artwork - just as in daily life - Melanie is captivated by what lies beneath the surface. Whether it be the quiet tensions we carry, moments of genuine encounter, or the universal desire to be seen and understood.

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In terms of style, Melanie works with flowing gradients and layered textures, allowing softness and rawness to exist side by side. This creates a kind of visual tension that mirrors the complexity of being a human. In her artworks, the body serves as a means to portray the interactions between figures. The way arms embrace, hands search for each other and bodies lean toward one another.​ Melanie's work is an honoring to the space between people, where we can dance, feel discomfort, and expose ourselves.

 

Melanie is currently studying at the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam.