Me in my studio

Alison McDonald’s 20 year practice is based in Townsville, North Queensland. McDonald’s art sits at the junction of consumer culture and environmental concern and ranges in size from microscopic jewellery to epic sculpture or installation.

Her work is shown in national and international exhibitions, including Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi, Strand Ephemera’s (2015 winner). Her artwork is in collections of Royal North Shore Hospital, Visy Education Centre, Perc Tucker Gallery, TCC’s-Integrated Sustainability, Catholic Education, Ryan College, CQ University, Energy Super, Monterey Bay Aquarium, California and Stadiums Queensland.

McDonald completed her BVA (Hons) from JCU, then a Master of Art in Public Space at RMIT. She has also been artist in residence at Aberystwyth, Wales with an Arts Qld Career Development Grant and twice to RedGate, Beijing. McDonald taught Sculpture at James Cook University and TAFE North Qld. She recently toured a solo exhibition ‘Wanton, Wild & Unimagined’ to 13 galleries around Australia.

If you would like to purchase or hire my artworks, please contact me through this website, otherwise only my jewellery can be purchased her in Jewellery.

  • 2021,17,16,13,21,22 USQ McGregor School –Silversmithing, forming, stone setting, Toowoomba

    2019 UnEarthed Sand Casting jewellery workshop, Kirra-lea Caynes, Melbourne

    2019 Let’s Go Outside: Making Art Public, Monash University Melbourne

    2017 USQ McGregor School – Papercutting

    2013 TAFE Part Time – Cert IV Engineering TIG Welding

    2012 Tech NQ – Introduction to Welding Course

    2011 Master of Art and Public Space, RMIT

    2011 Thematic Communication workshop – Prof Sam Ham

    2008 Facilitation Skills & Community Consultation – Creating Links Training

    2007 European tour – Venice Biennale, Kassel Documenta, Munster Sculpture Project & European Museums

    2005 BVA (Hons) Sculpture & painting, James Cook University, Townsville

    1981 Northern Metropolitan College of TAFE, Preston, Melbourne

    1979 Jackson College – Shepparton, Victoria, Year 12 – Visual Art Studies

  • 2024 Aliware, Jewellery, Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts

    2023 Belonging, Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts, Townsville

    2017-19 Wanton, Wild & Unimagined, 13 regional galleries around Australia

    2018 Immersed, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville

    2015 Beneath, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery

    2014 Triffids (extended) Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery

    2012 Triffids – Umbrella Studio Vault, Townsville

    2012 Urban Legacy – Pinnacles Gallery, Townsville

    2011 Flow I – Umbrella Studio, Townsville Flow blog

    2009 DIY-Ville residency & exhibition, Pinnacles Gallery, Townsville

    2008 A Chain Reaction – Umbrella Studio Arts, Townsville

    2007 Diminishing – Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville

    2004 Voluptuous Perceptions – Umbrella Studio Arts, JCU, Honours

  • 2024 Stirring Histories, PUNQ, Umbrella Studio - outside TYTO Regional Art Gallery

    2023 Flow, Jewellery & Metalsmiths Group Qld, Impress Gallery, Brisbane

    2023 Pose, Wearable Art Creatives, Townsville Entertainment Centre & Pinnacles Gallery, Townsville

    2022 Girt by Sea, Gallery 48, Townsville

    2021 Journey Through Images: 40 Years of Perc Tucker Regional Gallery

    2021 Contemporary Wearables, Toowoomba

    2021 Pose, Wearable Art Creatives, Townsville Entertainment Centre and Pinnacles Gallery, Townsville

    2021 After-PUNQ, Umbrella Studio, Townsville

    2021 We Are SNAG Anthology 2021, online & USA

    2020 Umbrella members, Umbrella Studio, Townsville

    2020 Artist-At-Home-Residency, Umbrella Studio, online

    2019 Planet or Plastic Exhibition, Melbourne Zoo, Nov 19 – Mar 20

    2019 Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize, Woollahra, Sydney Oct-Nov 19

    2019 NOW Contemporary Art Prize, Shoalhaven Regional Gallery. Oct-Nov 19

    2019 Strand Ephemera, invited artist re NQ Stadium public artwork.

    2017 Colours of Queensland, Flying Arts Qld, Touring exhibition

    2016 T150, JCU Lecturers & Students, Umbrella Studio, Townsville

    2016 Greensmith, Eco and Ethical jewellery, Artisan, San Francisco

    2015 Godre’r Glais, Aberystwyth residency artists, Umbrella Studio

    2015 Strand Ephemera, Townsville

    2015 NQ Conservation Council Postcards Art Exhibition, Umbrella Studio

    2014 Umbrella Members Exhibition, Umbrella Studio, Townsville

    2014 Greensmith, Eco and Ethical jewellery, Artisan, Brisbane

    2013 Sculpture by the Sea & Sculpture Inside, Bondi, Sydney

    2013 Strand Ephemera, with architect Stephen de Jersey, Townsville

    2013 Innovations, Industrial Waste from Finlay Homes – Studio 2, Townsville

    2012 Expanded Field of Printmaking, Print-sculpture collaboration, Umbrella Studio

    2012 Open Studio, May, Aberystwyth Art Centre Residency, Wales UK

    2012 Seaweed, Part of the Green Series, Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery

    2011 Strand Ephemera, outdoor sculpture exhibition – Townsville

    2011 August Movement, Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville

    2010 Threads: the art of women, Brightspace, St Kilda, Melbourne

    2010 JCU Staff Exhibition, eMerg Media Space, JCU Townsville

    2010 Red Gate Studio to Umbrella Studio – Umbrella Studio,Townsville

    2009 Open Studio Sep & Oct, Red Gate Residency – Bei Gao, Beijing, China

    2009 Strand Ephemera, outdoor sculpture exhibition – Townsville

    2009 Now and Then Q150 exhibition, Umbrella Studio, Townsville

    2009 Launch – Finalist for Clayton Utz Scholarship, Brisbane

    2009 Hit the bottle campaign, Newcastle Art Gallery & ABC

    2009 Art Off the Wall, Melbourne, Art off the wall

    2009 Five Senses, Flying Arts, State Library of Queensland, Brisbane

    2009 Linden Postcard Show, Melbourne

    2009 Eco Luxury – Decoration + Design Fair, Sydney – Designer Alena Smith

    2008 Collectors – Pinnacles Gallery, Townsville

    2008 The Nude – Perc Tucker Regional Gallery

    2008 Art Sydney Front feature wall, Weekend Australian, Sydney

    2008 Revivication – Rushcutters Bay Gallery, Sydney

    2008 Riverfestival – Ephemeral Outdoor Art Exhibition – Townsville

    2007 Waste Not – Flinders Lane Gallery Upstairs, Melbourne

    2007 Strand Ephemera, outdoor sculpture exhibition – Townsville

    2007 Somewhere between harems & hardware? Gallery Hinchinbrook, Ingham

    2007 The Percivals – Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville

    2006 Chair… Members’ Exhibition – Umbrella Studio Arts

    2006 Angels – Perc Tucker Regional Gallery

    2006 Compact Prints International Exhibition – Umbrella Studio Arts

    2006 Fashioning The Exquisite Corpse – Pinnacles Gallery, Townsville

    2006 Percival’s Vestment – Perc Tucker Regional Gallery

    2006 Works by COMVAT Lecturers and Post Graduates, JCU

    2005 Strand Ephemera, outdoor sculpture exhibition – Townsville

    2005 RSL Townsville, VP60 – Group painting/drawing

    2005 Perc’s Purses – Perc Tucker Regional Gallery- Townsville

    2005 NQ Environment Postcard Exhibition – Umbrella Studio Arts

    2004 The Churchie – Anglican Church Grammar School, Brisbane

    2003 JCU 3rd Year BVA Exhibition – Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville

    2003 Sheilas from the Shed – Umbrella Studio Arts

    2003 Survivor jigsaw mural – El Rancho del Rey, Tully, NQ

    2003 International Locksmith Convention – Marriott Resort, Gold Coast

    2002 JCU 3rd Year BVA Exhibition – Perc Tucker Regional Gallery

    2002 Musical Chairs – James Cook University BVA, Pinnacles Gallery

    2001 Achievements, JCU, BVA Selected Works – JCU Gallery

    2000 Hanging Your Nudes out to Dry – Pinnacles Gallery

  • 2022 Cornucopia scientifica, Ryan Catholic College - Science Block, Townsville

    2020 Warmth, public artwork Townsville Stadium

    2018 Drain, Rockfield Technologies Australia Pty Ltd

    2017 Engaged, Central Qld University – Townsville Campus

    2017 Connected, Central Qld University – Townsville Campus

    2017 Sunset-years, Energy Super – Townsville Office

    2017 Shift, Energy Super – Townsville Office

    2016 Casting Off, Warwick Art Gallery, Jumpers & Jazz in July

    2015 Catholic Education – Environmental public artwork & trophy

    2011 Townsville City Council, Integrated Sustainability Services

    2011 Monterey Bay Aquarium, California, permanent collection Sea Notes

    2010 Magnetic Island Solar Park – public artwork

    2008 Sydney Royal North Shore Hospital, Kollings Research & Education Facility

    2006 Catholic Cathedral Townsville – Restoration of 14 relief plaster Stations of the Cross

    2004 Visy Recycling & Education Centre -Townsville

  • 2023 Quick Response Grant, Flying Arts Inc. - WOW Wellington NZ

    2021 SmartyGrant – Business Basics

    2015 Strand Ephemera Winner – Artistic Excellence

    2013 North Queensland Outstanding Individual Visual Artist for 2012

    2010 Nominated for Townsville Art Awards – Visual Art Award Individual

    2009 Clayton Utz Scholarship Finalist, Brisbane

    2009 Art off the wall, Art Fair Melbourne

    2008 Art off the wall, Art Fair Sydney – Highly commended

    2005 Strand Ephemera 2nd People’s Choice Award

    2005 Townsville Art Society – People’s Choice Award

    2005 Townsville Art Society – Highly commended

    2003 Townsville Art Society – Three Dimensional Award

    2002 James Cook University – 3rd Year Painting Award

    2002 James Cook University – 3rd Year Drawing Award

    1998 Member – Golden Key Honour Society (Academic achievement)

    1982 Goulbourn Valley Regional Gallery, Shepparton Art Society – Honourable Mention

  • 2020 Artist at Home Artist in Residency, Umbrella Studio, Townsville

    2016 Warwick Regional Gallery, Jumpers & Jazz in July Festival

    2014 Red Gate Gallery, Beijing, China residency in the Bei Gao Studio’s

    2012 Aberystwyth Art Centre residency, Wales for 3 months

    2009 Red Gate Gallery, Beijing, China residency in the Bei Gao Studio’s

    2009 DIY-Ville, Pinnacles Gallery, Townsville

    2009 Hit the bottle campaign, Newcastle Art Gallery

    2006 Hughenden State School, Hughenden