Andrian Melka

Stone sculptor

Stone portraits

Andrian graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Tirana
Carving directly in stone without the need of a model is one of his skills
In 2020 he won the Quest Award for Excellence

Yorkshire-based Andrian Melka's list of prestigious clients includes royalty, lords and entrepreneurs. Among his high profile commissions are the Jubilee Fountain at Sandringham, England, and a copy of the Medici Venus at London’s Chiswick House. An amazing achievement especially considering that – by his own admission – he became a sculptor only because he had “drawn the short straw when at high school they were selecting students for different disciplines in art.” Born in Albania, where he graduated in Fine Arts, Andrian Melka moved to London with a Getty scholarship to study at the Building Craft College, he then moved to York to work as a head Sculptor with the renowned master carver, Dick Reid.

Interview

It is true that you became a sculptor by accident?: In a way, yes. I wanted to become a painter, but there were too many students for the painting class so we were asked to draw straws to determine our future career path. I drew the "short" straw which meant I had to take the sculpture class instead of painting.
What inspires you?: When I started, my inspiration came from classical depictions of the Gods and Goddesses in mythology: I was interested in the idealised versions of the human body. Now, I’m drawn to interesting faces and figures, subjects that will allow me to create sculptures that generate an emotional response.
Why are you drawn towards figures and faces?: I try to capture the essence of someone. I hope that the portraits and figurative sculptures I create generate discussion and dialogue. It’s very important to me that my sculptures have life and emotion.
Do you still use traditional methods?: Most of my work in stone and marble uses traditional methods and basic tools like a hammer and chisel, with the help of modern compressors and air guns. It’s the same with the clay modelling, but I have also been experimenting with ways to speed up the roughing out process by using a CNC machine.

Andrian Melka is an expert artisan: he began his career in 1994 and he started teaching in 2019