Exhibitions & News

Engaged: Alison McDonald seeks to engage the viewer’s mind and heart as well as eye. She says: ‘Each minute and individual plastic lid contribution included in Engaged reveals the collective power of a community and what is possible when it is engaged and well connected.’   As this use of waste would … [Read more...] about CQU new Townsville Campus commission – ‘Engaged’

This artwork is inspired by a row of power poles along the side of a long road receding into the distance whilst the sun is setting. The power poles are represented in the centre of each diamond by silver disks. These silver disks are used as a safety code to indicate the pole has been inspected in recent years before … [Read more...] about Energy Super – ‘Sunset Years’

28 July - 6 August 2017. This is my newest artwork for Strand Ephemera 2017, which is an outdoor sculpture event held in Townsville along the foreshore. New and old waves are juxtaposed here together along the Strand; one observes the invisible signals created from mobile phones, the other eternally present with the … [Read more...] about ‘Making Waves’ Strand Ephemera 2017

    Inspired by the shape of Energy Super’s logo, ‘Shift’ is made up of 49 site labels from power poles. Each power pole has its own unique number. These 49 labels represent the average number of working years for most people. The tail end changes direction to signify the shift people experience when … [Read more...] about Energy Super Commission – Townsville Office

I am very pleased to be included in the Qld Regional Art Awards, titled 'Colours' touring exhibition next year with my artwork Kallymenia cribrosa. Congratulations to the winners and all the other artists included in the exhibition. Thanks Flying Arts. In 2012 Umbrella Studio Arts Townsville, sent me as their first … [Read more...] about Flying Arts -Qld Regional Art Awards, ‘Colours’

I am very pleased to be included in the Celebrating Townsville T150 exhibition held at Umbrella Studio in July.  The exhibition celebrates Townsville’s 150th year through the James Cook University Lecturers and their chosen students.  The curator Ross Searle chose 12 artists all JCU alumni, to demonstrate the lineage … [Read more...] about Celebrating Townsville T150 Exhibition

July 2016 'Casting Off' appears like the typical crocheted ‘granny square’ rug made from left over bits of wool is something we are all cosy and comfortable with, just like our relationship with plastic, particularly single-use plastics.  However, my colourful Casting Off may appear comfy or even fluffy from a … [Read more...] about Jumpers & Jazz in July 2016

Paul Lucas & I with the sustainability artwork titled 'Regenerator' in the Catholic Education courtyard. Both artworks are created entirely from recycled copper, brass and our fence. … [Read more...] about Catholic Education Sustainability Trophy & Sculpture Dec 2015

Perc Tucker Regional Gallery 5 December 2015 - 15 January 2015 This small exhibition pays homage to Professor William Henry Harvey, a phycologist from Trinity College, Dublin who came to Australia in 1858 and collected marine algae (seaweed) during his time here and published Phycologia Australica.  Many of his … [Read more...] about Perc Tucker – Beneath exhibition Dec 15 – Jan 16

Since 2012, when Umbrella Studio first formed a relationship with the Aberystwyth Art Centre, four local artists, Alison McDonald, Jenny Mulcahy, Jill O'Sullivan and Gerald Soworka have each completed a three month residency at the Art Centre. By chance these residencies have coincided with the four seasons of the … [Read more...] about Godre’r Glais Umbrella Studio 25 September – 1 November 2015

A big thanks to sponsors Glencore and judge John Walsh, Gallery Manager at the Gold Coast City Gallery.  John Walsh commented, "Alison McDonald's work Shimmer is a simple concept that is realised with poetic elegance. It is an intervention on the site that adds a level of engagement and interaction that is constantly … [Read more...] about I am delighted to announce that Shimmer won 1st prize!

For the next 12 months 'Flow' is now cascading throughout the new atrium of Townsville's Civic Theatre on Queens Road. It was difficult to hang, but thanks to the sheer persistance of the team at Perc Tucker and Townsville City Council, we finally got there and it looks fantastic. … [Read more...] about Flow – Townsville Civic Theatre July 2015 to July 2016

27 July - 10 August 2015 This is my newest artwork for Strand Ephemera 2015, which is an outdoor sculpture event held in Townsville along the foreshore. 'Shimmer' wraps around the Surf Life Saver's Tower and is made of approximately 14,000 recycled power pole inspector ID disks. It's kinetic and moves with the wind … [Read more...] about Shimmer Strand Ephemera 2015

In November 2014 printmaker Jill O'Sullivan and I set off for another residency at Red Gate, Beigao, Beijing for a month. I worked on cut-out water patterns pertaining to my journey to Beijing on some left over Goethe advertising cards that I found from the previous resident. … [Read more...] about Red Gate Residency Beijing, China – November 14

In John Wyndham's 1951 science fiction book (and film) Day of the Triffids, his Triffids are described as a member of a race of predatory plants which are capable of frowing to a gigantic size and are possessed of locomotive ability and a poisonouse sting. Capturing this in essence, these Triffids too are … [Read more...] about Literary Notions: Triffids 5 March to 27 April 2014 Bundaberg Regional Gallery

24 October to 11 November 2013 Great news, my artwork made of 30,000 recycled plastic lids/caps titled 'Flow' is now gracing the sandstone cliffs of Bondi for Sculpture by the Sea Bondi (No.17) in Oct-Nov 2013! Please go and take a look If you go to Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi you will see the little yellow dot in … [Read more...] about Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi 2013