After Glow – Artist Talk with Meli Axford
Saturday 27 June 2026 | 05:00 PM
Currumbin Waters
An intimate and deeply personal talk exploring creativity, identity, reinvention and the emotional journey behind Meli's Pool Series, now in its seventh year.
Known for her vibrant figurative paintings that reimagine the Australian landscape through the lens of family, memory and the female gaze, Axford will speak candidly about her unconventional path into art – from a working-class upbringing in regional Queensland and a long career in technology, to becoming a nationally exhibited painter whose work explores love, safety, visibility and freedom for women and girls.
Part memoir, part creative reflection and part conversation about contemporary culture, this evening will move beyond the surface of the paintings to explore the psychological and emotional forces that shaped them. Axford will discuss how painting became a process of self-discovery, and how meaning in her work often emerged long after the paintings themselves were made, what she now describes as “her subconscious speaking to her through paint.”
This intimate talk is great for artists, collectors and anyone who wants to learn more about their own creative practise and benefit from Meli's experience, how she went about it, and how she continues to sustain her creative art business.
Getting there
Consider using public transport or active travel. Plan your trip with Translink's journey planner.
Parking may be limited. For metered parking, use the EasyPark app to start, end, and extend your parking direct from your phone to avoid fines. For more information visit City of Gold Coast's Parking page.
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