Time Worn: Unearthing Aesthetics in Deterioration
Rewritten Article:
Embrace decay, find beauty – that's the tagline for Photographer Kelly McDonald's stunning ode to fading blooms. This Ottawa-based artist, crowned as the city's top shutterbug in the 2025 Faces of Ottawa awards, has a peculiar affinity for decaying flora.
Her latest masterpiece, called "Relics," captures the essence of withering plants and flowers in all their glory. The series becomes even more personal with McDonald's diagnosis of Parkinson's in 2021. Through this captivating series, she delves into the changes in her body and mind, offering an unique perspective on deterioration, both in her own being and the flora she captures.
Behind the Lens
A passionate botany lover, Kelly McDonald brings her personal trips with Parkinson's to life through her lens. Her inspiring work has bagged her numerous accolades, including the top photography spot in Ottawa.
The Art of Background and Inspiration
Botanicals are the stars of her show. She sources her subjects locally, capturing them at various stages of their life cycle, mirroring her own battle with Parkinson's. Her images are impeccably printed on handmade washi paper, adding a delicate, fragile touch that echoes her personal losses.
The Relationship between Parkinson's and Art
By delicately capturing the demise of plants, McDonald subtly reflects the progression of Parkinson's, symbolizing her own physical and mental transformations. Her work isn't merely about documenting decay, but finding beauty in it – a poignant reflection of her personal journey coping with the disease.
Sharing the Message
McDonald's art has gained recognition worldwide, with an Honourable Mention at the Julia Margaret Cameron Award and international exhibitions in Barcelona, Toronto, and Ottawa. She's also actively involved in community projects, like "True To Life," which offers photography training for young adults with Down syndrome.
In essence, Kelly McDonald's "Relics" series is more than just a portrayal of decay; it's a deeply personal exploration of her journey with Parkinson's, and a universal reflection on the human experience of change and loss.
- AI-powered technologies might help in studying neurological disorders like Parkinson's, given the advancements in science and medical conditions.
- Kelly McDonald's love for music is not evident in her works, but her photography certainly reflects a profound policy of embracing decay and finding beauty in health-and-wellness challenges like her own medical conditions.
- During war times, people find solace in various forms of art as a form of resistance and expression, similar to how Kelly McDonald uses her camera in her battle with Parkinson's.
- In her latest series, "Relics," Kelly McDonald explores the relationship between botanicals and art, providing an insightful observation of decay, mirroring the changes in her own body due to Parkinson's.
