Melanie Hava

Melanie Hava is one of Tropical North Queensland’s (TNQ) most recognisable First Nations artists. Also named Winden (green pigeon), Hava is a Mamu woman of the Dugal-barra and Wari-barra clans of the Wet Tropics (the Johnstone River catchment), on her Mother’s side. Hava also has ancestral heritage to Austria in Europe, in particular the country’s oldest city, Enns; on her Father’s side.

In reflecting the vibrancy of her rainforest and reef, maternal Mamu homelands, Hava draws inspiration from the storytelling of her people, the landscapes and indigenous flora & fauna. Hava is a generous artist inviting audiences into works of great intricacies (and, at times, of large scale) which depict magical and tropical landscapes and marine life tableaux—as well as scenes from red-dirt Country. With a careful and detailed use of colour and depth, Hava creates glimpses of areas and stories linked to nature, which are important to her. Hava’s works bear a hyper-reality quality to them, as she produces artworks which capture the dreams and mystery of her [mostly] untouched Country; in doing so she is highlighting the fragility of these places due to Climate Change and human encroachment.

A mother of three, Hava is now an established artist in Gimuy/Cairns, boasting an incredible string of exhibitions from 2005-2024. Celebrated, Hava’s works are beloved by galleries, collectors and art lovers from across the globe.

Melanie Hava’s paintings draw their inspiration from her Aboriginal and Australian heritage. Raised in the outback, Melanie would often see emus travelling through the long grasses. Occasionally, she would observe two males joining forces to protect their chicks. This banding together in kinship to feed and protect their mob echoes the way Aboriginals once lived.

"Ever since I read a book about the little mermaid in Primary school, I have loved the mysteries of the ocean’s floor. As I grew older and learnt The Great Barrier reef is one of my people’s traditional land, I was thrilled with the connection. I love to indulge my imagination with scenes of the Great Barrier Reef, a truly underwater utopia land full of beautiful fishes and creatures."

"The sea turtles remind me of my ancestors, moving around as the seasons dictate, moving for food and moving for nesting/birthing. Rainforest to the ocean for us and for the turtles from literally oceans to the sands."

"Again, remind me of my family. Dolphins (and my family) like to hang out together all the time. There’s always a cheeky one there to be the clown and make everyone laugh."