J McDonald is an artist and designer based in Brooklyn, NY. His work explores the intersections of the built environment, the natural world, and human psychology, examining the complex relationship between humanity and nature. Drawing on his background in architecture and environmental design, craft and metalwork, conceptual art and sculpture – McDonald’s practice brings rational, architectural geometries into dialogue with intuitive, organic forms – creating dynamic and refined works of art that challenge perceptions of space, materiality, and the human experience.
McDonald’s sculptures, furniture, and large-scale installations probe the tensions between the natural and constructed worlds, manifesting the rational and neurotic side along with the more wild and intuitive side of the human mind. His work is not merely inspired by nature but is an inquiry into the ever-evolving dialogue between humanity and the natural world. Working across a variety of materials and scales, McDonald’s creations invite reflection on our relationship to both the environment and ourselves, offering an immersive experience into a fantastical world that imagines and encourages a deeper connection with the world around us.
His work has been exhibited widely in New York City and internationally, at venues such as Objective Gallery, Bonham Gallery, Room57 Gallery, and The KnockDown Center, as well as at major art fairs like Design Miami and NOMAD. McDonald has completed artist residencies at Taliesin West, The McColl Center, The Millay Colony, and Blue Mountain Center, and has created large-scale works at Taliesin West School of Architecture, Franconia Sculpture Park, and in collaborations in Ghana and Mali. His art provokes reflection on human existence, challenging conventional thinking and fostering a sense of interconnectedness with the natural world.
