Melissa English Campbell (b. 1969, San Francisco) is an artist whose work bridges the tactile discipline of weaving with the fluid expressiveness of painting. Using a large floor loom to weave tapestries, Melissa creates dynamic compositions that explore the tension between structure and disruption. Her practice is deeply influenced by the psychological realities of a nomadic life, requiring adaptability and resilience from a young age, as well as by impressionist and abstract movements. These influences manifest through undulating patterns, optical effects, and a unique technique of painting on unbound yarn.

In her work, Melissa departs from traditional tapestry, weaving together themes of identity, adaptation, and the feminine experience. She constructs intricate, layered canvases that reflect her exploration of the internal shifts brought by constant change, family dynamics, and personal growth. The weaving process, anchored in repetition and rhythm, serves as a grounding force, while painting on the unbound yarn introduces an element of chance and spontaneity, mimicking the unpredictability of life.

Her compositions invite viewers to engage actively, encouraging a reflection on the changing nature of reality. By combining these two mediums, Melissa explores a dialogue between chaos and control, body and mind, and the tactile and conceptual. Her work not only reflects her personal journey but also invites contemplation on the universal themes of resilience, identity, and the search for meaning within life’s perpetual motion

Melissa has a B.S. in Environmental Design from the University of California, Davis, and an MFA in Studio Arts from Kent State University.

Her artwork has been exhibited globally, including at the Royal Albert Museum in the UK, Seoul, South Korea; Como, Italy; and New South Wales, Australia. Nationally, Melissa’s work has been shown at galleries such as Blue Spiral 1 in Asheville North Carolina, at the Riffe Gallery in Columbus, Ohio; Woman Made Gallery in Chicago, Illinois; San Jose Museum of Textiles in California; Columbus Museum of Craft, New Bedford Art Museum in Massachusetts; Museum of Texas Tech University; Petaluma Center for the Arts in California; Hand Weaving Museum in New York; Troppus Gallery in Kent, Ohio; Society for Contemporary Craft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  She has also participated in the CAN Triennial in Cleveland, Ohio, The Other Art Fair in Chicago and her work has appeared in journals such as Surface Design Magazine and FiberArt Now.  She is a recipient of the Award of Excellence from the Ohio Council for the Arts.

Melissa currently lives and works in Ohio.