Q & A With Jason Mcdonald
Q & A with Jason McDonald, photograph courtesy of the artist. The Corner Store Gallery.
Q & A With Jason Mcdonald
Jason McDonald first joined The Corner Store Gallery family back in 2019 as a finalist for our inaugural Mini Series Art Prize. His striking, serene, detailed and unique photographic prints were an instant hit with our audience and Jason’s career as an artist has continued to grow and evolve ever since.
Jason’s new solo exhibition The Roo, the Magpie and Friends features nostalgic photographs of his rescue animal friends from the property just outside of Mudgee in NSW. Jason is one of the most lovely and humble artists I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and we are thrilled to present his new body of work. Pre-sales will launch online from 8pm Tuesday October 19th, with the exhibition on display from October 20th to 30th 2022.
Jason McDonald, I Love Fairy Bread, The Corner Store Gallery.
Tell us about yourself. What is your background in art and design?
My first job was a graphic designer at the Powerhouse Museum. Working with inhouse curators, exhibition designers, marketing department and photographers was a great starting point for the next 25 years in the design industry. Over that time, I worked at the Sydney Cove Authority and small design agencies, winning two Australian Graphic Design (AGDA) Pinnacle awards. In 2000 I started my own business with a range of clients including Film Australia, Strand Arcade, QVB, and Garvan Institute of Medical Research. In 2010 I moved back to the family farm near Mudgee and built the Permanent Camping Eco Retreat.
Tell us about the place where you live and what inspires your work.
I live in the Shearer’s Cottage on the family farm. It’s like stepping back in time with a wood burning stove, clawfoot tub and cast-iron beds. Living in the cottage and caring for rescue animals from the farm is the inspiration for my current work.
What motivated this series, where did you get the idea?
Inspiration came from life around me. Young animals from the wild adapting to a human environment and becoming part of the family. I wanted to show this through an almost formal and staged portrait style of native animals contrasted with bright coloured domestic objects from our world.
Q & A with Jason McDonald, photograph courtesy of the artist. The Corner Store Gallery.
Your new series features some gorgeous rescue animals from your property, can you tell us a little about their characters.
Yes, they have very different characters and I love them all.
Loppy the Roo
Personality: chilled and relaxed, laying down on the rug in front of the TV.
Likes: Sao biscuits
Dislikes: the lawn mower
Squeeker the Magpie
Personality: playful and inquisitive, following me into the paddocks while mustering.
Likes: ham rind
Dislikes: other birds flying into the garden.
Holly the Honey Eater
Personality: very quiet, happy to perch on his favourite chair.
Likes: singing early in the morning.
Dislikes: the vacuum cleaner
Little Pipit
Personality: active, always waging his tail up and down.
Likes: darting from perch to perch around the kitchen.
Dislikes: the TV
Q & A with Jason McDonald, photograph courtesy of the artist. The Corner Store Gallery.
Q & A with Jason McDonald, photograph courtesy of the artist. The Corner Store Gallery.
Jason McDonald, Granny Smith Weigh In, The Corner Store Gallery.
Q & A with Jason McDonald, photograph courtesy of the artist. The Corner Store Gallery.
Jason McDonald, Jug of Jonquils, The Corner Store Gallery.
Q & A with Jason McDonald, photograph courtesy of the artist. The Corner Store Gallery.
Jason McDonald, In the Wisteria, The Corner Store Gallery.
Q & A with Jason McDonald, photograph courtesy of the artist. The Corner Store Gallery.