“Everything for a reason”
Rob Melville was born in 1977 in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.
After graduating from the Royal College of Art in 2003 Rob Melville has become a world renowned automotive designer; contributing to and penning designs ranging from the Range Rover Evoque, Cadillac Converj to the McLaren P1, 570S and 720S to name a few.
Rob is currently the Director of Design for McLaren Automotive Ltd where he has built and led the creative team to deliver a cutting edge vision of multiple iconic designs based on his unique design philosophy of ‘everything for a reason’ with the sole aim to ‘create breathtaking products that tell the visual story of their function’. The latest examples being the McLaren Speedtail, Elva and all new Artura.
Art & Influences
Alongside his professional career Rob has continued to create and develop his personal art and bespoke jewellery designs. Growing up between the industrial city of Leeds and the striking scenery of the Yorkshire Dales has heavily influenced Rob’s aesthetic of both his art and designs where he mixes emotive dynamic forms with intricate technical details. Other major influences are the legendary ‘Akira’ comic books, Damien Hirst, The Miaz Brothers’ street art and the exquisite cartoons of his hero and Disney artist Albert Hurter.
“Great art tells a great story”
Rob aims to tell a story through his art; creating a moment, evoking an emotion or raising a question. He uses techniques, media and a process usually seen in automotive or movie design blending colour, texture, volume and graphics whilst letting the eye fill in the blanks to create striking imagery and sculptures that stand between fine art and street art.
Robert Melville
Name: ‘Push The Button Mickey’
Price: £100,000
Description: Disney’s innocent pop culture icon and symbol of consumerism is preparing to ‘push the button’.
The unique child like proportions and blank eyes create an eerie character based on a sketch from my 2020 ‘Evil Mickey’ series and brought to life in collaboration with the super creative team at Vital Auto 3D.
Link to Instagram: robmelville_art
Name: ‘The Tattooist’ (signed limited edition of 9)
Price: £220 (£445 with floating frame & anti-reflective glass)
Description: Portrait of tattooist Mo Coppoletta of ‘The Family Business’ based in London. Giclée print on photo rag paper (42 x 59.4cm)
Link to Instagram: robmelville_art
Name: ‘2020 Mickey’ (Limited edition of 9)
Price: £120 (£310 with floating frame and anti-reflective glass)
Description: Giclée print on photo rag paper (22.5 x 30cm)
Link to Instagram: robmelville_art
Name: ‘Fire side’ (Limited edition of 9)
Price: £220 (£445 with floating frame & anti-reflective glass)
Description: Giclée print on photo rag paper (42 x 59.4cm)
Link to Instagram: robmelville_art
Name: ‘King’ (Limited edition of 5)
Price: £220 (£445 with floating frame and anti-reflective glass)
Description: Giclée print on photo rag paper (42 x 59.4cm)
Link to Instagram: robmelville_art