Archive for the ‘Group Show’ Category

In these unprecedented times when an exhibition is hung and a catalogue has been created but for the health of all no one can visit it. Please check out my body of work in the Traffic Jam Galleries catalogue.  https://www.trafficjamgalleries.com/Niki-McDonald

Amending Traditions is a body of work that pays respect to the tradition of needlepoint tapestry, it honors its process and considers its subject matter. Art reflects society and in the 19th century, tapestry affirmed rigidity and modesty. The role of the amended tapestry is to break the customary stereotypes by sassing up the traditional subject matter. Stitching and mending recontextualises and allows for autonomy and sustained self-expression.

Traditional tapestries are stitched and darned with contemporary urban themes and incorporate humor to show contrast.  Niki McDonald employs sub-culture slang and lyrics from popular songs to prompt the viewer to complete the line and relive a moment in time. By inviting the audience to connect their own experience with that of the subject in the tapestry she hopes to ignite impact.

Birds represent freedom, they have a higher perspective and a big picture view. In the series, Amending Traditions, the bird gives us insight into how the subject is feeling and what their challenge is.

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I hope you enjoy the exhibition catalogue as much as I enjoyed creating and stitching it x

‘Where the Vertical meets the Horizontal’ my 20ply merino wool latch hook cross on exhibition with the Seed Stitch Collective, at the Gaffa Gallery, Sydney. The audience is asked to start a new conversation by pulling handfuls of fluffy wool from the piece, balling them up and discarding the wispy creations on the wooden floor. The orginal gives rise to a new conversation and where the story will go, I’m looking forward to seeing x

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The collective is comprised of seven Sydney based artists: Soraya Abidin, Sky Carter, Alana Clifton, Suzanne Davey, Gillian Lavery, Niki McDonald and Emma Peters. While their backgrounds, education and approach to art practice are diverse, they each have a deep understanding of material qualities and textile processes. The Seed Stitch Collective are passionate about exploring and promoting contemporary textiles.

Wonderment can be described as a surprise encounter that arrests our senses for a fleeting moment. It is an instant of absolute presence where we are transfixed by an awe-inspiring sight, or engaged in child-like discovery, or merely struck and shaken by the extraordinary that exists in the familiar and everyday. In every instance of experiencing wonderment, we are left with a feeling of revitalisation, renewal and awe.

In our current state of political and social tension and the accompanying cacophony of media noise, wonderment stimulates a momentary pause in time, acts as a surge of clarity, and sees the worry and overwhelming tensions in the world fall away.

In this exhibition, the Seed Stitch Collective celebrates wonderment as an antidote to contemporary anxieties. As artists, we are able to delve into the depths of our creative world and seek remedy in the surprise encounters of creative acts. The moments found within art-making is where this respite is found. It slows us down, it occupies our mind and hands, and we are joyfully enthralled by the possibility of creation.

We hope that the audience finds the spirit of this theme, the collective and the creative output to be a powerful reminder that hope, generosity and connection is alive and well.

You are Invited to, ‘Wonderment’ @Gaffa Gallery, level 2, 281 Clarence St, Sydney.

Wonderment opening – Thursday 31st August 6-8pm through until 11th Sept 

Artist Talks – Saturday 2nd of September 12-2pm

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I loved working with KPC Yarn and felt connected to the pop up space in Paddington. The workshops were a hub of creativity and exploration of the needlepoint tapestry medium. I’m thinking of more making, more workshops and of creating kits, watch this space x

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At the BarometerGallery, Paddington, Opening on Thursday 10th of November 6-8pm

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100 x 120cm – 3.75ct tapestry canvas – maximizing the stitches to reveal the spray painted background. On exhibition in November at the Barometer Gallery in Paddington as part of the Seed Stitch Collective.

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Urban Instinct 100x75cm – 20ply wool

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