Richard MacDonald’s recent work Spirit is another reminder of the artist’s broad range, and underscores the principle that whether he is responding to the highly refined movements and physique of...
Richard MacDonald’s recent work Spirit is another reminder of the artist’s broad range, and underscores the principle that whether he is responding to the highly refined movements and physique of a classically trained ballerina, or the bulk and strength of a powerful athlete, what makes his sculpture unique is his ability to feel the form and movement he witnesses. The solidity of these figures recalls the work of Rodin – massive, hewn from clay, earthy – a marvelous counterpoint to the works that defy gravity and explore different aspects of human expression, this is Richard MacDonald’s primal example of masculine energy. There is power in “pattern”, and the four figures gain from a sense of rhythm we feel, as they face the four points of the compass.
In 2014 and 2015, Richard MacDonald focused intently on the minerals and pigments of his patina process - specifically on the color red. Shortly thereafter, the artist revealed his discoveries in a new exhibition entitled “Richard MacDonald: Red.” The exhibition, which highlights MacDonald's creative immersion into the hue, the emotion, and narrative of color, represents a profound new direction in the artist's work.