Interview with Renee McDonald
March 2001

Describe in detail your work that is included in Top Arts: VCE 2000

The work is a series or body of work derived from emotions experienced after the tragic death of my brother. The work is quite large, choosing colour that identifies the mood I am trying to portray. Portraits, numbers, drips and scratches add to the finish of my work.

What were your starting points?
Where did your inspiration come from?

My starting point was looking at artist’s work. I was inspired by the artists Peter Booth and Brett Whiteley, the way they produce works with so much emotive quality and insight , this inspired me to produce works containing emotion and feeling, to really focus on my inner self.

What processes did you explore to establish the focus or theme of your work?

Because of the tragedy in the family, being such a huge event, probably the biggest I will ever have in my life, it was the driving force to my artwork, all my emotion anger and grief to the tragic death of my brother came out in my artwork. This wasn’t intended it is just what happened when I picked up my brush.

What difficulties if any did you encounter in producing your work?

Many of the materials I was using were not finishing the way I had hoped, sometimes however, this did work in my favour. My work looked very different, sometimes not as " pretty" as everyone else’s work. I had to deal with it.

What media did you select and why?

I have always loved oil paint, but I like mixing media rather than sticking to one. Acrylic, gladwrap, spray paint, cardboard boxes, wood and canvas. All media had reason for being used, for example the gladwrap was significant as it represented the thin outer layer or face one puts on, behind though all the sadness and anger is screaming through. The gladwrap is thin and delicate just like the protective face one puts on.

Were there influences from other sources that were significant in the production of your work?
How did this impact on the development of your work?

Advice from teachers , family and friends, but, no, it came from the inside.

Were there influences from literature, television, history or political events in the processing and production of your work?

Not really, more from my personal events and experiences.

Are there ethical or moral issues or concerns evident in your work?

Issues and concerns that were touched on were that of right and wrong, good and evil. In one piece I explore the concern with evil actions and how they impact on others lives.

What resources did you have access too, example, use of the local library, newspapers, magazines, art programs, galleries, websites...?

I visited galleries which is important to do, and used my local and school library.

Did you refer to the NGV website – how relevant or useful was this site?

No

What exhibitions did you see? Was there a specific exhibition which impacted significantly on the development of your ideas and working methods?

With school we went to the National Gallery of Victoria a couple of times; very emotional as I saw Peter Booth’s painting, got tears in my eyes, very different and overwhelming to see the real thing, than just studying it from a book. This encouraged me to be confident with colour and paint application ideas, not to be scared and withdrawn, just to let go basically.

Did you see Top Arts from 1999? What response did you have to this exhibition?

Yes. First dream was I would love my work to be chosen for this (exhibition). Very impressed by the ideas behind the work, each piece had its reason for being chosen and showed individual and unique style.

Did you consider presentation and conservation issues in the process and production of your work?

This was a major concern in my work. I chose materials, specifically for the fact that they would deteriorate away, just like the emotions I was portraying would fade away. Presentation is important if more than one piece is shown, it is more like a story or a journey. Presentation having a lot to do with how one portrays this story.

Did technology have an influence on the development of your ideas and working methods?

A little. I used the computer scanning in images, manipulating them and so forth, but basically technology wasn’t a huge influence on my work.

What advice would you give to students undertaking art/studio art?

Go with your inner self. While it is important to learn techniques and working methods artwork cannot be taught it’s from your inner self. Take what you learn and apply it to your own style.

Image reproduced courtesy of the artist

© copyright 2001, The National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne Australia
Email: enquiries@ngv.vic.gov.au