For Immediate Release
Contact: Karen Mulcahy
February 28, 2008
212. 714. 0044

SHONA MACDONALD
March 22 – April 19, 2008

Shona MacDonald, a Boston-based artist originally from Scotland, opens a show of new work at Reeves Contemporary on Tuesday, March 25th with an opening artist’s reception on Saturday, March 22nd between 6-8 p.m. The show continues through April 19th, 2008.

MacDonald’s recent work uses a form of collage to expand on the semiotic similarities between maps and fractals and to address issues of place, location, memory and land. By employing finely cut up envelopes, almost sliver-like, MacDonald attempts to find ways to decode the signs and myths inherent to maps and re-invest their utilitarian function with personal narrative. She is interested in the tension between place that is longed for and place that is actualized. This tension is investigated through imagery that is fragmented then seamed back together.

MacDonald uses plain canvas as her backdrop; there is no paint in these collaged works. The fluid lines and marvelously detailed patterning is all accomplished through the careful application of recycled, shredded envelopes.

This current series continues an investigation she began several years ago, and which follows a series of paintings and drawings that refer exclusively to land mass, islands, and the mapping of shorelines and topographies. One can see how this inquiry into the land-lines lends another level of sinuous fluidity to the current ‘envelope’ paintings. MacDonald refers as well to the work of Beth Galston, who is showing concurrent with MacDonald at Reeves Contemporary; and in sympathy with Galston’s untethered ‘flower’ installation, MacDonald has created tendril-like collages mimicking the life and color evident in Galston’s conceptual work.

Shona MacDonald received her MFA in 1996 in studio arts from the University of Illinois in Chicago and her BFA in 1992 from Glasgow School of Art in Scotland. Her work has been reviewed in the national publication, Art in America, Art News, (Both for Solo Shows) and she has been nominated for a Louis Comfort Tiffany award, (2002). She has been a Visiting Artist at Wimbledon College of Art London, (1998), Georgia State University, Atlanta, (2007), the University of Alberta, and the University of Calgary, both Canada, (2002).

Reeves Contemporary is open Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 – 6 PM. For more information, contact the gallery at 212 714 0044 or visit the online gallery at: reevescontemporary.com.