About Me
I am a multidisciplinary artist and play advocate passionate about creating immersive, community-driven experiences through sculpture, design, and public art. My work focuses on re-imagining public spaces as a site for play, connection,and creative exploration, designing interactive sculptures, playground elements, and environments that invite movement, curiosity, and sensory engagement.
With 30 years in the arts, including a decade in film and television, I bring a rich storytelling background to my practice. Working closely with communities, I develop playful, inclusive spaces that encourage imaginative participation across all ages and abilities. This play-focused work complements my extensive experience in large-scale mural painting, with vibrant works throughout Aotearoa New Zealand and abroad.
My creative practice also extends into sound, with my debut ambient albumYūgen offering meditative soundscapes that explore emotion, tone, andatmosphere. Through my diverse practice, I create opportunities for reflection,awe, and meaningful connection.
CV
January 2023 - June 2026
Play Advocate (contract) 2024 - 2026
My role involves developing strategic approaches, facilitating greater
access to play opportunities, and offering creative design solutions that
support playful, inclusive, and engaging environments across the district.
Educator
I have extensive experience teaching art to children across a wide age
range, with a particular specialisation in working with adolescents. For
several years, I have designed and delivered both short and long-term
programmes focused on creativity, self-expression, symbolism, visual
storytelling, and colour therapy.
Music Album Release
Under the name of MIN album title ‘Yūgen’ 2023
Released an EP with the band SPECIAL FILTER, 2022 - 2023.
Space Activation/Placemaking
Exquisite corpse sculpture 2026
Inter generational Planting days 2025 - 2026
Play week activations and events 2025 - 2026
Play street Event 2025
Swings in trees 2024 - 2026
Nautical sensory board 2025 and Knot sensory board 2026
Play on the way footpath painting 2025
Onerahi Playground project, Whangarei, 2025
‘Pop’ pingpong, Whangarei Girls High, 2025
Revitalisation project at Whangarei CBD, NZ 2019.
Public seating installation, Waipu River Walk, NZ 2023.
Mural Commissions
Marsden Bay, Nautical revamp, Whangarei District council 2024
Tikipunga, 'cast your nets' mural for Whangarei District Council 2024
Carpark mural for Kainga Ora, Northcote 2024
Two murals for Whangarei District Council 2023
Abby Caves Toliet block for Whangarei District council, April 2022
Maungakarmera Rubgy grounds and sports club, client Whangarei District Council March 2022
Four Mural installations for Kainga Ora Housing Development, NZ Govt 2022
Whale Tale painting for World Wildlife Foundation, Auckland 2022
Shipping Container Mural for CMA – CGM Transport, Melbourne, Australia 2021
Waipu Business Assocation, Northland, NZ 2021
Link Alliance Rail 2021, Auckland
Mural installation for Kainga Ora Housing development, Auckland NZ Govt 2021
Mural at Quartyard San Diego, USA 2020
Mair Park Toilet block, for Whangarei District Council 2020
Wolf Street Toilet Block, for Whangarei District Council 2020
Westfield Shopping Centre / Centre Group Newmarket Auckland 2019
Sandy Bay Mural 2019, for Whangarei District Council.
Mural for Auckland Transport and Heritage Hotel March, 2019
Boon Street Art Festival Hamilton Feb, 2019
Bank Street Mural for Street Prints Manaia Festival 2019
Mural at Woollys Bay Northland, Whangarei District Council 2019
Bank Street Mural for Street Prints Manaia Festival 2019
Newmarket Business Association, Laneway mural 2018
Ponsonby Business Association
Designing and painting of large planter pots on Ponsonby Road 2018
Commission of 4 large Murals for Northland Council - 2018
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Langs Beach
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Matapouri Beach
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Butter Factory Lane Way Painting on the actual road
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Botanica Bridge, painting the entire bridge including motifs in the panels
‘Graffito’ Taupo NZ street art Festival 2017
Commission for Traffic light control box by AS Clothing
Mural Auckland Transport, #strideAKL interactive work 2016
5 mural paintings for Chorus telecommunications 2015
Auckland Council, ‘POP' project, sculptural work 2016
Rodney Council, Mural painting working for Ranui Library and Jasmax Architects 2016
Q Construction, Interior Paintings 2016
Sculpture on the Shore, 'Gilded' 2016
Residencies
PREM International School, Thailand 2023
Tulum Mexico 2021
Bundanon Trust NSW 2015
Press
https://www.habitatbyresene.co.nz/blogs-people/melinda-butt-can-turnthe-
most-unsuspecting-walls-into-joyous-works-of-art
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/waipu-welcomesyou-barn-helps-rural-friendship-bloom-over-artsJ6LGQTK2A2ILFTUMVDSLO6OUII/
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/mystery-paintingappears-on-whangareis-butter-factory-laneFJPU6XB36K77A7TIFL44VWGOB4/
Fine Art Awards
Finalist and peoples choice for the Cliftons art award 2013 and 2015
Finalist for the Waikato Society of Arts award 2011 and 2008
Honorable Mention – Art Interview Magazine
Finalist for ASA scholarship 1994
Solo exhibitions
Allpress Gallery - 2015
Allpress Gallery - 2014
Wallace Gallery Morrinsville - 2014
Kumeu Gallery March 2013
Black Asterisk Gallery Auckland - 2012
Satellite Gallery - Auckland July 2008
Galleries and group Exhibitions
Tutors show - Toi Ora 2016
Kohia Terrace 2012 -2016
Muriwiai Arts trail – 2015, 2018
Nook Gallery - 2013
Art and Enterprise gallery – 2013
Muriwiai Arts trail 'Homecoming' – 2013
Corbans Estate 'Monochromatic' – 2012
Retrospect Gallery – Queensland NSW Australia 2011
Art station tutors exhibition 2011