portrait by John Healey

Relics by Kelly McDonald depicts her desire for softness juxtaposed with the rigidity of her body due to living with Parkinson’s disease. McDonald sources local indigenous botanicals from the Ottawa area and documents them. Fascinated with their sculptural nature and freeness she preserves them using historical processes, much like the German artist, Karl Blossefeldt. The erosion of her prints mirrors her gradual and ongoing loss in mobility. McDonald’s searching for florals is as important as documenting them, feeling as though they are gifts from the natural world. Her openness about her disease and acceptance 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

Relics
"the tension between my increasingly rigid body and the comfort and softness I seek"Relics is Kelly's new photo book. Please email to purchase a copy.

Kelly McDonald

Kelly McDonald is a photo-based artist living with Parkinson’s disease. Using a contemplative approach, Kelly explores the numerous losses which have occurred in her body as the illness progresses.

Please email Kelly for purchasing options / Click images to enlarge

Relics
The tension between my increasingly rigid body and the comfort and softness I seek

What Remains
The gradual disappearance

Florere
An unintentional tribute to Irving Penn

Water Series
Spent botanicals dance in rejuvenating water

The Three Graces
Charm, Creativity and Grace, the beginning of my water series journey

Warrior Series
I remember your tremor
as day breaks
I carry your tremor
in my heart
until night is upon meThis series started soon after my Parkinson's diagnosis

Cyanotype
The natural beauty of botanicals painted by the sun

CVEducation
2023 Artist Residency, SPAO: Photographic Arts Centre
2023 Diploma, SPAO: Photographic Arts CentreAwards
2024 - 2024 Ottawa Awards / Nominee, Ottawa
2023 - 20th Julia Margaret Cameron Award / Honourable Mention, BarcelonaExhibitions
2024 - Relics / Book launch and exhibition, Wall Space Gallery, Ottawa
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, photobook
2023 - Do It for the Grain, Volume 5, Issue No. 3
2022 - Epiphany, SPAO Annual 2021/22Curation
2018 - Hello World, This Is Me / World Down Syndrome Day, Algonquin College, Ottawa
2017 - 21 Reasons / World Down Syndrome Day, Algonquin College, OttawaWorkshops
Since 2018 - True To Life Project / Photography workshops for individuals with Down syndrome, Ottawa