Magic is a spontaneous study that is characteristic of Richard MacDonald’s artistic vision. When the artist chooses to depict a costumed performer there is an added narrative dimension to the sculpture: it becomes a vignette in a larger story that unfolds in the imagination of the viewer. The costume is an identifier, but it is also an invitation for the viewer to participate in creating a context for the sculpture. The birds surrounding the magician function as formal elements by adding a sense of movement to the composition. Additionally, they add an element of naturalism that further invites the viewer to picture the “magic” of the magician: the moments of surprise, wonder, and mystery.