Meet The Artist: Darren McDonald’s Soft Romance

Darren McDonald most notably takes softly romantic photographs of women and land — things with curves. His work welcomes the gentle interruption from shadows, and sometimes foliage or fabric or reflection, nothing too tempered, and is often best viewed in black and white. Recently, the photographer shot the incredible Liv Tyler for Oyster, and even more recently (last night!) he opened an exhibition of photographs collected from his movements over the last year.

Meet him below, and take a spin around his instal at Jerico Contemporary some time before June 1.

Name: Darren McDonald

Nickname: Bone

Where did you grow up and where do you live now?
Hong Kong, now living in New York

What were you into in high school?
Film. Film scores. And debating.

In what ways have you changed since then?
I haven’t.

Do you remember the first time you realised you were good at creative stuff? What did you first make?
I designed an invitation for my brothers 16th birthday that I thought was quite good.

What does photography do for you? What sorts of life stuff has it helped you conquer?
I’m grateful for the people I’ve met and the places I’ve been with photography.

What do you most enjoy taking photos of? Why?
Women. What else is there.

Is there anything you simply cannot get right with a camera, but wish you could?I’m not very good at chaos. I wish I was.

Where is your favourite place to work?
Ibiza.

What’s the best work you’ve ever made?
A video I made, on my father’s camcorder, of my friend Hannah walking the beach at night during a storm. I think I was 17, but it’s still my favourite thing.

What scares you most?
Falling off the zeitgeist

Best piece of advice you ever received?
‘What’s meant for you will not go past you.’ From my Grandmother.

What is a skill you wish you possessed?
Self congratulatory excitement.

Best Youtube clip you’ve ever seen?
Russian club kid

What’s on rotation on your soundcloud at the moment?
River Yarra, DJ Healer

Finally — tell us about what you’ve been working on for your show at Jerico Contemporary. Themes, inspo, results, any surprises?
The show is a collection of images that are based around a theme of impermanence. They’re a combination of still lifes and vignettes from my travels in the past 12 months.