Ian McDonnell
'The Chicken or the Egg – Speckled'

Ian McDonnell is a master of observation and detailed documentation, treating each of his artworks like an anthropological study. Yet while his work is immersed in contextual information and fact, it is always treated with a signature sympathetic humour. Ian was born in London, after graduating from London College of Printing he went on to work in New York and Los Angeles, since 2005 he has been happily living and working in London.

‘Before embarking on a new life in London from rural Ireland, my father chose not to bring his modest but grand selection of livestock with him. Unfortunately there were no ‘Noah’s Arks’ back in those days. So, he had to find a new home for the livestock, which comprised of 2 heifers, 14 sheep and 11 chickens.’

– Ian Mcdonnell

 ‘The Chick or The Egg’ is a combination of antique engravings juxtaposed with contemporary illustrations and line-work, all copy is set in Gill Sans Regular. The piece was a 2 colour process, printed on a lithographic proofing press, the whisks were block foiled on an Heidelberg press by Benwells of London.