Melissa Gillum, an interdisciplinary artist based in North Carolina, draws inspiration from her early experiences as a dance student and her lifelong fascination with theatre and film. Her artistic journey revolves around exploring identity and diverse facets of the human experience, examined through deliberate performances—whether captured on camera or unfolding in real-time.
Her curiosity extends to the inner workings of contemporary cultural groups, delving into realms such as radical religious societies and cults, the music industry, the history of nonconformists, and philosophical struggles with personal identity and relationships. Melissa's objective is to prompt viewers to question their own motives, revel in deviant perspectives, reimagine personal experiences, and oscillate within a spectrum of emotions.
Building her practice on these specific subjects, cultural upheavals, contemporary critical theory, and the archetypes found within contemporary fiction, Melissa actively crafts her artistic persona by positioning herself as the subject or manipulating others within the context of her work. While her primary mediums include digital photography and video production, she has recently embraced analog methods and self-exploration through performance.
In her ongoing creative pursuits, Melissa dedicates significant time to writing, conducting archival visual research, and exploring experimental music. These avenues not only shape her future projects but also contribute to the continuous evolution of her artistic expression, engaging audiences in thought-provoking contemplation.