Kelly McDonald is a photo-based artist living with Parkinson’s disease. 

Using a contemplative approach, Kelly explores the numerous changes which have occurred in her body with the progression of the disease. 

The resulting images of botanicals at various stages of their life cycle, mirror her Parkinson’s journey, and admiration for the floral world.

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Education 

2023 Artist Residency, SPAO: Photographic Arts Centre

2023 Diploma, SPAO: Photographic Arts Centre

Awards

2024 - 2024 Ottawa Awards /  Nominee, Ottawa

2023 - 20th Julia Margaret Cameron Award / Honourable Mention, Barcelona

Exhibitions

2024/25 - Ampification Unidentified / Group exhibition, Gallery 200, Ottawa

2024 - Honeysuckle / Group exhibition, SPAO Gallery, Ottawa

2024 - Art de Vivre / Group exhibition, Hudson

2024 - The Cyanotypes / Group exhibition, Art House, Ottawa

2024 - Relics / Book launch and exhibition, Wall Space Gallery, Ottawa

2024 - Unidentified / Group exhibition, CONTACT Photography Festival, Northern Contemporary Gallery, Toronto

2024 - 20th Julia Margaret Cameron Award for Women Photographers / Group exhibition, Fotonostrum, Barcelona

2023 - Luck! Chance! / Fundraising exhibition, Ottawa Arts Council, Ottawa

2023 - Florere / Solo exhibition, Little Sisterz, Spencerville

2023 - Chase The Light / Group exhibition, Photographic Center NW, Seattle

2023 - Exhibition No. 18 / Group exhibition, SPAO Gallery, Ottawa

2023 - Home / Chez Soi / Group exhibition, Do It For The Grain, Ottawa

2022 - Open House / Group exhibition, SPAO Gallery, Ottawa

2022 - Exhibition No. 17 / Group exhibition, SPAO Gallery, Ottawa

2021 - Print & Garage Sale / Group exhibition, SPAO Gallery, Ottawa

2021 - Open House / Group exhibition, SPAO Gallery, Ottawa

2018 - Hello World, This Is Me / Group exhibition, Algonquin College, Ottawa

2017 - 21 Reasons / Group exhibition, Algonquin College, Ottawa

2016 - Hidden Woodland / Solo exhibition, Zolas, Ottawa

Publications

2024 - Relics, photobook

2024 - Visions, photobook

2023 - Through Our Eyes, photobook

2023 - Florere, photobook

2023 - Do It for the Grain, Volume 5, Issue No. 3

2022 - Epiphany, SPAO Annual 2021/22

Curation

2018 - Hello World, This Is Me / World Down Syndrome Day, Algonquin College, Ottawa

2017 - 21 Reasons / World Down Syndrome Day, Algonquin College, Ottawa

Workshops

Since 2018 - True To Life Project / Photography workshops for individuals with Down syndrome, Ottawa

Portrait by John Healey