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Niki McDonald

Artist Bio

Niki McDonald uses contemporary needlepoint tapestries to explore the urban landscape and experience. ‘Faces, spaces and attitudes,’ are all themes in work, which often depict strong women against a colourful background that includes cultural references to today’s society. She has a Bachelor of Creative Arts with a Major in Textiles and a Minor in Printmaking at Wollongong University. For more information please visit the artist’s official website: https://tapestrygirl.com/

Artist Statement

'How we sailed into Sydney Harbour, saw an old friend but couldn't kiss her. She was lined, and I was home to the lucky land'. Cold Chisel – 1978

Textiles, particularly needlepoint tapestry, have always been central to my creative practice, allowing me to explore the intersection of tradition and raw emotion.

In the dimly lit pubs of the 1970s and 1980s, where beer-soaked carpets met swirling cigarette smoke and raucous crowds, Australian rock bands belted out anthems that echoed through the era. My artistic exploration delves into the heart of Australian pub rock culture, merging tranquil vistas captured in needlepoint tapestries with the gritty, unadorned lyrics of pub rock. Through this fusion, I seek to navigate the complex interplay of cultural narratives—the clash between idealism and the unvarnished realism of working-class life.

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