Penche Monet is an exploratory piece that reveals the depth of Richard MacDonald’s study of classical ballet as he builds toward the realization of a central coda for a grand monument for the Royal Ballet School in London. Pure in line, but difficult to execute, the penche movement highlights the physicality of the dancer’s body which has always held great interest for the artist. This work exemplifies the artist’s process of becoming visually and physically aware of all aspects of his subject by sculpting from life.

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.