GET TO KNOW: ANTHONY DEMELAS

Meet Anthony DeMelas, born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As a artist, he explores overlooked glimpses of visual reflections that coexist all around us. His conceptual process and inspiration is always in flux; reanimating fragments of his life through a broad palette of wood, oil, wax, paint and photography. DeMelas works out of the Bok Building in South Philly, a hub for creatives and small businesses in the community.

Through layering images and materials, he works to expose an unseen realm of existence. Photos are taken without the guise of perfected shutter speeds, paint is pulled across these surfaces, allowing the oil, water and wax to do what they may, giving us just enough information- but without clouding our sight.

Anthony DeMelas, Carl Sagan, Oil Paint on Photo Paper, 42 x 20" View here.

Anthony DeMelas received his degree from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, where he specialized in sculpture, encaustic painting, and film photography. His work has been seen across Philadelphia since the early 90s, and has been featured in New American Paintings in 1999, 2001, & 2005.

DeMelas debuted his work at JOG in 2007- shortly after our inception in late 2006. He works alongside our team and Oliver, helping to install our exhibitions month after month. He is featured in the 2025-26 holiday exhibition, JOYLAND, on view through January 31st, 2026 at James Oliver Gallery. He contributed work alongside Adam Wallacavage, James Oliver, and Jodi Rice in early 2025 exhibition, W.O.R.D. The group show put a spotlight on Philadelphia artists serving, supporting, and investing in the local community.

Read more about W.O.R.D. here.

What about Philadelphia and its surrounding culture inspires you the most?

There are a lot of things about Philadelphia that are extremely unique. I've grown up in the city my whole life- I was here during the very raw stages. Neighborhoods like Society Hill and Old City looked very different than how they do today. At that time as a young man, we would venture into these neighborhoods and their abandoned buildings. We spent most of our days playing and creating things in those buildings. Having been born into a family of artists, like my mother, father, and uncle- I’ve always seen things for their creative potential.

In 2012, DeMelas completed a mural for Fork, acclaimed flagship of James Beard Foundation Award–winning restaurateur Ellen Yin and High Street Hospitality Group. The piece can still be viewed today in the Old City restaurant.

Fork on Facebook.

Can you speak to the mediums you choose to work with and why?

There is not one medium that I can say is my main resource. I take pictures with film cameras, I work with wax, oil paint, and silkscreen. All of these elements feed off each other. Lately, I have enjoyed translating these elements into wall and standing small-scale sculptures, like the ones seen in JOYLAND.

Anthony DeMelas, Regal Mother Earth,

Mixed Media Sculpture, 24 x 5 x 5"

View here.

What artists and movements have influenced you throughout your life and career?

My biggest inspiration was spending time in New York City in the 1980s. I was interested in Abstract Expressionism, Warhol, Rauschenberg, Basquiat. After that, I didn’t really follow anymore movements and just worked in my own world.

Do you practice any daily rituals to keep you inspired and creating?

Every second that I'm awake, I'm thinking about creating something. There isn't anything I look at without a creative idea behind it. As far as a ritual, it's about work. I go to my studio every day, even if i don't want to- even if the last thing on earth is creating something. It's those times I come up with my best ideas, without trying to force it.

Anthony DeMelas, Mother Earth, Mixed Media Oil Painting, 18 x 48", 2025, View here.

What‘s happening in your studio right now?

When I’m not creating a sculpture, painting, or taking photos, I like to work with restoring furniture and guitars. Right now, I’m working on a piece of furniture I'm refinishing. At the same time, out of the corner of my eye, I'm thinking of a new sculpture I want to create- all the while working on the furniture piece, since the sculpture will be made of wood.

Mother Earth's Cast Shadow is a mixed media sculpture by DeMelas. He utilizes found objects and his recognizable Mother figure, seen throughout his larger body of work. The secondary figure peeks through the sanded glass, creating what seems like the work of light and shadow. At a second glance, viewers may notice it is superimposed with intention. The bomb is left in the forefront, with no accompanying shadow, hinting at the over-arching theme and emphasis on Mother Earth's power. The wood elements are fragments of his first ever painting easel, a call back to DeMelas early career and evolution as as an artist.

View the piece here.

View work Anthony DeMelas in JOYLAND through January 31st, 2026.

"JOYLAND" Catalogue

DeMelas' Artist Page