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“I paint to honour the quiet moments, the ones we often overlook but that shape who we are.”~Llael McDonald


Llael McDonald’s work is moody and nostalgic, layered with narratives that subtly shift from viewer to viewer. She explores the familiar and brings the ordinary to the forefront, presenting everyday moments with emotional depth and visual richness. Her paintings invite reflection on our shared histories, the diversity of culinary traditions, and the significant role food plays in shaping contemporary society. Through this lens, her work becomes a visual feast that stimulates both the senses and the intellect. It encourages us to recognise the cultural influences that shape civilisation and to celebrate food as both a unifying force and a testament to our shared human experience.

Professional History
Llael McDonald was raised in Spotswood, an inner-city suburb of Melbourne, where she showed an early passion for the visual arts, particularly painting. This passion set her on the path to becoming a professional artist at a young age. She pursued formal studies at the Independent College of Art and Design, located in the creative hub of Chapel Street in Melbourne. Under the guidance of artist Terri Matassonni, Llael developed her technique and graduated in 1996 with one of the college’s top portfolios.

In 2019, she travelled to Austin, Texas, to work with realist painter Mark Carder. This experience introduced her to a new workflow and colour palette and marked the beginning of her deep interest in still life painting.

Llael’s work is held in public and private collections around the world, including in New York, Los Angeles, London, Sydney, Melbourne, Italy, France, New Zealand and Norway.

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Selected Exhibitions

     

     "Lambent" Solo Show , Compendium galley Melbourne (2025)

  • “Savour”, Solo Show, Michael Reid Southern Highlands, NSW (2024)

  • “Delices”, Solo Show, Compendium Gallery, Melbourne (2024)

  • “A Dozen Eggs”, Solo Show, Berdoulat, Bath UK (2024)

  • Selected Works, Han Feng Art Space, New York City, NY (2024)

  • “Plenty”, Solo Show, Sketch Co Gallery (2023)

  • “Sumptuous”, Solo Show, Sketch Co Gallery (2023)

  • Sydney Affordable Art Fair (2023)

  • Melbourne Affordable Art Fair (2022)

  • Sydney Affordable Art Fair (2022)

  • Michael Reid Sydney and Le Cornu Australia Exhibition (2022)

  • The Banquet, Group Exhibition, Weswal Gallery, Tamworth NSW (2021)

  • Solo Show, Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham (2019)

  • Solo Show, Cosmopolitan, Trentham (2015)

  • Solo Show, Catherine Abel Galleries (2014)

  • Fawn Gallery, Collingwood (2013)

  • The Black Dog, Footscray (2012)

  • Blue Raincoat, Spotswood (2012)

  • Group Exhibition, Arthouse Ink Galleries, Yarraville (2011)

  • Solo Show, Arthouse Ink Gallery (2011)

  • The Substation, Newport (2007–2009)

  • “Studies in Light”, Solo Show, Pantechnicon Gallery, Daylesford (2005)

  • Pivotal Galleries, Richmond (2004–2005)

  • The Melbourne Art Fair (2004)

  • Pantechnicon Gallery, Daylesford (Joint Exhibitions) (2003)

  • The Cherry Tree Restaurant, Prahran, Melbourne (1996)

  • 101 Collins, Melbourne CBD (1995)

  • ICAD Galleries, Prahran, Melbourne (1993–1996)

 

Galleries, Past and Present

Michael Reid Norther Beaches , Sydney

Michael Reid Southern Highlands  NSW

The Toowoomba Gallery, QLD

Han Feng art Space New York, New York

Compendium Gallery, Melbourne

Art to Art Gallery, Melbourne

Among the Pines Galley, UK

 

Awards

Finalist in the Lethbridge Small Scale Art Prize 2014
Finalist in Bluethumb Art Prize 2017
Highly Commended Trentham Easter Art Show 2017 and 2019

Finalist in the Lethbridge Scale Art Prize 2022

Winner of the Curators Still life prize Tacit Gallery Melbourne 2022

Winner of the Peoples Choice award Still life art prize Tacit Gallery 2023

Finalist in National Emerging Art Prize 2023

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