Small Object Spaces: Progression
SOS @ SLQ | 10 September 2026 -
Artist: Alison McDonald
Medium: Metal and small object design
Location: Level 2, State Library of Queensland, Stanley Pl, Cultural Precinct. South Brisbane QLD 4101
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Small Object Spaces
Centered around intimacy, tactility and the quiet presence of everyday materials, artisan's small object exhibition series brings together Queensland based artists working across textiles, ceramics and object-based practices. Small scale invites us to slow down looking where crafted detail and process hold focus.
Second Iteration
Progression
This second iteration of Small Object Spaces features a renown Townsville-based silversmith Alison McDonald's exquisite metal small objects.
Inspired by Annie Slade's 1884 collection currently held within the British Marine Algae Collection at Special Collections, Progression puts us into Alison's profound perception of the organic textures and patterns found in this marine collection including seaweed, moss, lichen and rock.
In this exhibition you are invited to witness Alison's masterful reshaping of metal into intricate forms, using techniques such hand raised copper disks into bowls with chasing and repoussé texture, creating a contemplative space to ponder on the complexity of nature and consider our role within it.
With one of the featured works, Plate 23 (ii) Griffithsia Corallina vessel (2026), Alison won the 2025 Queensland Regional Arts Momentum Award, which included a solo exhibition. This work was previously a part of the Flying Arts Alliance's QRAA Awarded Progressions Solo Exhibition.
Artist
Alison McDonald
Alison McDonald’s 20-year practice is based in Townsville, North Queensland. McDonald’s art sits at the junction of consumer culture and environmental concern and ranges in size from microscopic jewellery to epic sculpture or installation.
Her work is shown in national and international exhibitions, including Sculpture by the Sea, Bondi, Strand Ephemera’s (2015 winner) and in 2025 won the Art for Life Award with Qld Regional Arts Awards. Her artwork is in collections of Royal North Shore Hospital, Visy Education Centre, Perc Tucker Gallery, TCC’s-Integrated Sustainability, Catholic Education, CQ University, Energy Super, Monterey Bay Aquarium, California and Stadiums Queensland.
McDonald completed her BVA (Hons) from JCU, then a Master of Art in Public Space at RMIT. She has also been artist in residence at Aberystwyth, Wales with an Arts Qld Career Development Grant and twice to RedGate, Beijing. McDonald taught Sculpture at James Cook University and TAFE North Qld. She toured a solo exhibition ‘Wanton, Wild & Unimagined’ to 13 galleries around Australia.
Exhibition Catalogue
Learn more about the exhibited artworks here:
Image Credits
Plate 23 (ii) Griffithsia Corallina vessel, 2026. Hand raised copper (with a hammer from 1mm x 15cm flat disc) then chased with fine silver rim & patina 7.5 x 8 x 8cm. Image courtesy of Alison McDonald.
