Angus McDonald, Dove VI, 2016, oil on panel, 32 x 28cm
Angus McDonald, whose new exhibition white noise opened at Tweed Regional Gallery over the weekend is one of the most successful and accomplished artists living in the region.
Based in Lennox Head, McDonald is a highly respected artist of national repute.
He was awarded a Brett Whiteley Scholarship 20 years ago and since then he has exhibited throughout Australia and around the globe.
He has been a finalist in numerous national art prizes including the Archibald and has been selected as a finalist on four occasions, most recently for his portrait of West Australian singer songwriter Abbe May in 2015.
Director Susi Muddiman said the gallery ‘is proud to present McDonald’s 30th solo exhibition. This selection of works will provide visitors with just a glimpse of his extraordinary skill and experience.’
‘The term “white noise” refers to the background noises of our existence, the noises of the in-between, the noises we never really get a chance to contemplate in busy lives.
McDonald said, the work explores ‘moments of realisation and loss.’
Angus McDonald, Lessons of History, 2015, archival ink jet print on 310 gsm museum grade Canson cotton rag etching paper, 110 x 155cm
‘The two large figurative works on display in the exhibition were based on photographic shoots undertaken in my studio. My partner Beata modelled for one of the major works. For the other, I set up a single Pieta image carefully configured to approximate Michelangelo’s sculpture in St Peter’s.
‘It’s a classical Christian image but I think of it as something more universal. It deals with loss and a senseless death occasioned by fearful violence and prejudice. This is a lesson we are as yet unable to learn as a race.
Mr McDonald said exhibiting locally ‘is pretty special; especially at an amazing gallery like the Tweed Regional Gallery.’
‘If you placed the gallery, complete with the Margaret Olley Art Centre, in the middle of New York or London it would be constantly busy. It’s a world class facility.’
white noise will be on display at Tweed Regional Gallery until May 1.
The white-winged dove flies haltingly using the air as a brake
and comes into land on an outstretched tree branch that it spies
and with feathers spread to catch the air halting its speed as it flies
It slows its speed, and its body disturbs the air in its wake
We wonder at the beauty flying above in the air in the open blue skies
while inside ourselves we carry the blues in our heavy heart in disguise.
but the dove is the symbol of love and white is the purity of that love,
so cleanse yourself of impurity for its you the dove gives a message of love.