Art by John McDonald
"Send in the Clowns" - exhibition Series, 2023
Through a Saskatchewan Arts Board grant back in 2015, John completed a series of paintings entitled "Tears of a Clown," in which he chronicled his diagnosis and subsequent journey with PTSD. Through those paintings, his journey is told and he is represented by an anthropomorphic character in an unbuckled straightjacket. John called the character "Clown."
John assumed that this was as far as this character would go, as he created it for the one particular series and no further. John thought this character had run its course. However, it was Tahltan artist Peter Morin, during a pre-COVID studio visit, who advised, "Put that character away for a while, but not forever. Bring him back one day."
A similar sentiment was shared by Mann Art Gallery curator Marcus Miller during a 2022 visit to John's studio, which ignited a spark. Obviously, this character speaks to people.
With a few updates and modifications to the original design, "Clown" has returned to John's canvas for a series of paintings, in an exhibition series entitled "Send in the Clowns." Merging John's current method and style of painting with the graffiti style of his youth, this series celebrates a somewhat brighter world in which the character of "Clown" exists intertwined with colour.
All paintings in this series are Acrylic on Canvas, and measure approximately 30 inches by 40 inches.
Deepest thanks to both Peter and Marcus for their insights.
John assumed that this was as far as this character would go, as he created it for the one particular series and no further. John thought this character had run its course. However, it was Tahltan artist Peter Morin, during a pre-COVID studio visit, who advised, "Put that character away for a while, but not forever. Bring him back one day."
A similar sentiment was shared by Mann Art Gallery curator Marcus Miller during a 2022 visit to John's studio, which ignited a spark. Obviously, this character speaks to people.
With a few updates and modifications to the original design, "Clown" has returned to John's canvas for a series of paintings, in an exhibition series entitled "Send in the Clowns." Merging John's current method and style of painting with the graffiti style of his youth, this series celebrates a somewhat brighter world in which the character of "Clown" exists intertwined with colour.
All paintings in this series are Acrylic on Canvas, and measure approximately 30 inches by 40 inches.
Deepest thanks to both Peter and Marcus for their insights.