Rafaella McDonald
“Untitled 1”
In Rafaella McDonald’s Untitled I, deep grooves have been carved by the artist into found wood and packed with icing sugar. A reference for Rafaella were the Renaissance sugar sculptures that were used as centrepieces in lavish celebrations. Rather than representational, Rafaella’s carving is intuitive and meandering, the pattern is traced in candy sweet colours. The inclusion of the plastic candle, found in a skip, gives it the effect of an altar. The work invites contemplation into material and mark-making.
Rafaella McDonald has a painting and sculptural practice, working across gallery settings, public spaces, and clothing. Her practice is concerned with the gestural elements of materials, documenting interactions between materials and the body.