Muingan Naii Gallery
[little look gallery]

Yumalundi !

My name is Melle Smith-Haimona and I am an emerging Ngunnawal artist and mother of two, living on Wangal land in Sydney. My children have Te Arawa whakapapa & Ngunnawal Mob connections and today I stand as a reflection of them in my cultural journey.

I acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land I work, live & play on, the Wangal People of the Durug Nation. I also send my respects to any Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples both past, present and emerging who may be visiting my little corner of the world today.

Self Portrait 2021

Water colour painting, Prisma pencil & digital painting details. Based off a self portrait photograph taken late 2020. Tells the story of my journey through life, country and culture, guided by the footsteps of my ancestors before me and my totem to reconnect.

I was Here.

Lino cut print in black approx. A3. This piece tells the story of my inner power and strength that was handed down to me generationally. My family tree sits in her skin below traditional markings and a fire in her heart. The elements adorn her skin as though the connections to country have become a part of her.

Breast Cancer NZ Ad campaign

Photo taken in Christchurch NZ of a scene from the "Nan and the Monster Weeds" Ad campaign printed and displayed as a billboard. Illustrated in October 2020 for Nz's National Breast Cancer Awareness Month to encourage whanau to connect to their health for the next generation.

Bulyangan (East Wind)

Digital Painting 1250 mm x 750 mm. Client artwork designed to represent the Indigenous Peoples of Australia and New Zealand and our connection to each other as well as our Country or Whenua.

Paptuanuku

Digital painting in largest size A1

This was a person piece after my first visit back to Aotearoa to see the other half of my family. The connectivity of Māori culture in everything is something I resinated with in my own and the cries of First Nations people across our two countries is the inspiration for this piece. The body of Papa in everything we are and do.

Keen's Curry Tids

Digital Artwork & Sticker. Inspired by the collective love mob have for Keens Curry. If you know you know.