David MacDonald
Artist Statement
“For myself, the essence of the art experience, is one of self- discovery and communication. In one sense, it is a very private and personal journey in search of order, reason, reality and beauty. Yet in another sense, it is a very public act in the attempt to express and share, with others, my realizations and discoveries.” “The principal concern of my art is the articulation of the magnificence and nobility of the human spirit, and a celebration of my African heritage. The material I use is clay. The primary vehicle for these expressions is the vessel.” “In my view, the vessel embodies unique social and spiritual connections and associations, to all people, that does not exist in non- vessel ceramic forms. There exists in the vessel a timelessness and universality that records, contains and perpetuates the very essence of humanity and the human experience.”
Artist Bio
Earned a Bachelor of Science in Art Education, where he studied under noted African American ceramic artist Joseph Gilliard. After receiving his Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of Michigan in 1971, he joined the faculty of the School of Art and Design in the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University. Prof. MacDonald’s work is represented in many public and private collections throughout the nation. His work has also been featured in several ceramic textbooks and magazines, and he has been featured in several nationally televised programs, such as HGTV's "Modern Masters" and PBS's "A Craftsmen Legacy". He has been given several awards by various arts organizations such as, National Conference for the Education in the Ceramics Arts' "Excellence in Teaching Award" and the National Crafts Council's "Master Craftsman Award". Upon retiring from Syracuse University in 2008, he was awarded Emeritus Professor status. And in 2023 he was awarded an honorary doctorate.