In a review of the 1993 exhibition Mob at Mori Gallery, Felicity Fenner writes:
‘The project continues the artist’s interest in the machinations of history-making, drawing largely on found documentation and anecdote…. Researched in Rockhampton, Queensland, the characters in the portrait photographs MacDonald sources were all an inherent part of the goldmining boom that put Rockhampton on the map and fed the pockets of interstate industrialists….
In the image, Macdonald fuses the very different histories of two individuals or social groups (judge/striker, land owners/labourers), slicing re-photographed portraits into thin strips and weaving them back into a single image, putting the invisible underclass into the picture by restitching the very fabric of history”. (F Fenner, ‘Weaving black and white histories’, ‘Sydney Morning Herald’, 15 January 1994, Spectrum, p.11A.
Image: From Annette Larkin page – https://www.annettelarkin.com/art-detail.php?id=6681
Mob No.14, 1993
an Aboriginal couple both pastoral workers, photographed at Clermont c. 1880
woven sepia toned photographic prints image size 48 x 38 cm.
Mob No. 5, 1993
Two young Central Queensland men, photographer and date not recorded
woven sepia toned photographic prints image size 48 x 38 cm.
Mob No. 24, 1993
RGCasey in shirtsleeves photographer unknown possibly JH Lundager, Mt Morgan
woven sepia toned photographic contact prints image size 48 x 38 cm.
Mob No. 27, 1993
Lala Fisher photographer not recorded
woven sepia toned photographic prints image size 22 x 33 cm.
Mob No. 18
Alma Moody musical child prodigy, Mt Morgan
‘My Little Treasure’ Aboriginal child photographed JH Lundager, Mt Morgan.
woven sepia toned photographic prints image size 48 x 38 cm.
Mob No. 2, 1993
Archibald Archer, politician. 1st generation descendent of Archer family, first settlers at Gracemere in 1853; King Billy, no other name recorded, indigenous elder of a Darambal clan centred on Gracemere.
woven sepia toned photographic prints, image size 48 x 38 cm
Mob No. 30, 1993
One Two young Central Queensland man, photographer and date not recorded
woven sepia toned photographic prints image size 48 x 38 cm.
Mob No.1B, 1993
William Burns; Dundally at Mt Morgan.
woven sepia toned photographic prints, image size 48 x 38 cm
Mob No. 25, 1993
Mt Morgan Children and Miners photographed by JH Lundager c 1880
woven sepia toned photographic prints image size 33 x 22 cm.
Mob No. 26, 1993
Mt Morgan Children and MT Mine Trustees photographed by JH Lundager c 1880
woven sepia toned photographic prints image size 33 x 22 cm.
Mob #31, 1993. woven sepia photo reprints 71.5 x 61.0 cm, signed, dated and inscribed with title (on the reverse)
Mob #31, 1993. woven sepia photo reprints 71.5 x 61.0 cm, signed, dated and inscribed with title (on the reverse)