kelly mcdonald

Kelly McDonald is a Canadian photo-based artist living with Parkinson’s disease. Using a contemplative approach, Kelly explores the numerous changes that have occurred in her body with the progression of the disease. The resulting images of botanicals at various stages of their life cycle, printed on delicate washi paper, mirror her Parkinson’s journey and acknowledge a gradual disappearance of capabilities while honouring resilience.

Kelly is represented by Wall Space Gallery, Ottawa

The erosion of her prints mirrors her gradual and ongoing loss in mobility. Her openness about and acceptance of her disease shine through in these works while highlighting how easy it is to ignore these realities of life. The preservation of beauty reminds us of what we’re holding on to but also what’s to come - Ava Margueritte

A selection from the Relics, What Remains, Florence, The Three Graces, Botanicals Revived, and Cyanotypes series, available at Wall Space Gallery.

Profile photograph by Curtis Perry

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EDUCATION
2023 Artist Residency, SPAO: Photographic Arts Centre
2023 Diploma, SPAO: Photographic Arts CentreAWARDS
2024 - Nominee / 2024 Ottawa Awards
2023 - Honourable Mention / Julia Margaret Cameron Award, BarcelonaEXHIBITIONS
2024 - Relics / Book launch and exhibit, Wall Space Gallery
2024 - Unidentified / Group exhibition, CONTACT Photography Festival, Northern Contemporary Gallery, Toronto
2024 - 20th Julia Margaret Cameron Award for Women Photographers / Group exhibition, Fotonostrum, Barcelona
2023 - Luck! Chance! / fundraising exhibition, Ottawa Arts Council, Ottawa
2023 - Florere / Solo exhibition, Little Sisterz, Spencerville
2023 - Chase The Light / Group exhibition, Photographic Center NW, Seattle
2023 - Exhibition No. 18 / Group exhibition, SPAO Gallery, Ottawa
2023 - Home / Chez Soi / Group exhibition, Do It For The Grain, Ottawa
2022 - Open House / Group exhibition, SPAO Gallery, Ottawa
2022 - Exhibition No. 17 / Group exhibition, SPAO Gallery, Ottawa
2021 - Print & Garage Sale/ Group exhibition, SPAO Gallery, Ottawa
2021 - Open House / Group exhibition, SPAO Gallery, Ottawa
2018 - Hello World, This Is Me / Group exhibition, Algonquin College, Ottawa
2017 - 21 Reasons / Group exhibition, Algonquin College, Ottawa
2016 - Hidden Woodland / Solo exhibition, Zolas, OttawaPUBLICATIONS
2024 - Relics, photobook
2024 - Visions, photobook
2023 - Through Our Eyes, photobook
2023 - Florere, photo book
2023 - Do It for the Grain, Volume 5, Issue No. 3
2022 - Epiphany, SPAO Annual 2021/22
2017 - A Caged Mind, May MutterCURATION
2018 Hello World, This Is Me - World Down Syndrome Day, Algonquin College, Ottawa
2017 21 Reasons - World Down Syndrome Day, Algonquin College, Ottawa

Profile photograph by John Healey

Mentoring

My photography practice is based on quiet, calm and consideration. I photograph botanicals at various stages of their life, honouring their beauty, existence and resilience.By using a contemplative approach, I am able to see through a deeper realization.I am offering mentoring to photographers who wish to see differently.This is a shared journey where wisdom, intuition and technique meet through the quiet art of seeing. I offer encouragement, exploration, structured support, and gentle critique tailored to your needs.Each one-on-one session is two-hours long. There is an initial series of three sessions followed by an agreed timetable of sessions.The initial series is $250. Each two-hour session is then $80. There is a ten percent discount when you book and pay for six sessions.To register or for more information, please email me at [email protected]

True to Life

True To Life is an ongoing series of photography workshops. It provides opportunities for creative young adults with Down syndrome to learn about photography, to develop their skills, and to show us the world through their eyes. It is a special program that I developed more than 10 years ago and is very close to my heart. - Kelly