Richard MacDonald American, b. 1946
A powerful, primeval figure The Guardian is an evocative character that takes the viewer’s imagination into the realm of legend just by his very nature — rugged, unknowable, and mysterious. The platinum patina lends a contemporary aesthetic to the sculpture, and moves through a range of shades as our eye travels over the symmetry of the body, which is enlivened by a surface treatment that reveals the artist’s gesture in the original clay — swirling textural lines that wrap the muscularity like lines on a old master’s drawing. Tribal body paint, a headdress and a bullwhip add to the intrigue of The Guardian.
Long fascinated by the brilliant spectacle of Cirque du Soleil, Richard MacDonald has brought sculptures to life that have the intrigue, allure and beauty that has made Cirque du Soleil an international phenomenon. He is the first and only sculptor given behind-the-scenes access to Cirque du Soleil, allowing him to capture the beauty, athleticism and spirit of the performers. In working directly from the performers from “O”, Richard MacDonald has found inspiration for a series of unique works. “Guardian” reveals the strength and individuality essential to the formation of celebrated performer Stephan Reynolds in his character role as “Le Travesti.”
