Melissa Gilbert — Artist, Educator & Founder of UnitePlayPerform

About Melissa

We are thrilled to be once again working with contemporary artist and experience designer Melissa “Missy” Gilbert. Missy founded UnitePlayPerform as a transformational therapeutic practice underpinned by applied neuroscience. UnitePlayPerform pioneers new pathways born at the intersection of art, health, science and wellbeing, aiming to bring healing and creativity to the forefront of our everyday lives, in both spectacular and simple ways.

About Unity Web

At Purpose 2023, the new work Unity Web, will launch as a collective legacy artwork made by First Nations weavers from across the country.  

The artists/weavers included: 

  • Karleen Green - Bunjalung, Mununjali, Kgari (Wonapinga Weaving)

  • Tegan Murdock - Barkindtji, Yorta Yorta(Ngumpie Weaving)

  • Amethyst Downing-McLeod - Wandi Wandian (Ngardi Amethyst Design)

  • Terase Kelly - Mirning, Kokatha, Kaurna, Narrunga (Minyamumma Weaving)

  • Nana Coral Foley -  Boorloo, Ballardong/Whadjuk, Noongar, living in Boorloo Noongar Boodja (Culture Weave)

  • Nadine Foley -  Boorloo, Ballardong/Whadjuk, Noongar, living in Boorloo Noongar Boodja (Culture Weave)

  • Kym Dobby - Wiilman Noongar, Boorloo/Perth

  • Melissa Gilbert - descendant of the Mununjali Clan of the Yugambeh Nation from South East Queensland with links to Quandamooka. 

Unity Web harnesses the method and medicine of weaving circles globally and throughout time, creating a vital, embodied and organic space for people to connect, learn and share. In the context of Purpose Conference's hard truths, Unity Web is a space for healing.  

This project was supported by

Beyond Unity Web

Beyond ‘Unity Web’ activating the foyer of Carriageworks, Melissa has designed an interactive performance work for the conference that prompts the entire Purpose community to move collectively whilst contemplating the theory of the Symbioscene.

You can also join Guest Speakers Warren Roberts from Yarn Australia, Tegan Murdock from Ngumpie Weaving and Amethyst Downing-McLeod from Ngardi Amethyst Design as they join Melissa in a gentle heart led conversation on Day 1. 

This work and public activation is conceptualised, curated and facilitated by Melissa Gilbert ongoing.

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Read more about our First Nations Excellence at Purpose