Vacationer of the Week: Daniel McDonald, Deaf Aboriginal Artist

We, at Vacationer Magazine, like to highlight the diversity of LGBTQ+ communities around the world. So, we connected with Daniel McDonald, who has lived in Paddington, an upscale Eastern Suburb of Sydney, Australia, for 30 years! He’s a deaf Gadigal and Wonnarua man who represents Aboriginal art through ‘Deadly Hand Talk.’ He is also dedicated to amplifying the voices of people living with disabilities in the arts and culture sectors. 

In addition to identifying as a hearing-impaired LGBTQ+ man, McDonald is a member of the Sydney Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council and a member of the Inclusion Disability Advisory Pane at Sydney City Council. 

We caught up with the 45-years-young artist after his Sydney WorldPride exhibition at Flinders Street Gallery held early this month. And for him, creating art never stops! His work has already appeared in private and corporate collections, and he’s already working hard on his next big project – a new art exhibition scheduled to open in Tokyo next year (2024). And yet again, he’ll get to showcase his Indigenous artwork on a grand platform. 

One of the 45 Rainbow Champions, McDonald not only showcased his art at Sydney WorldPride but offered the Welcome to Country at the Mardi Gras Parade and delivered a speech with his interpreter at the Human Rights Conference. We wanted to understand his story, so we reached out to McDonald to ask him a series of questions which he graciously answered via email. Here’s what we learned. 

The Art of Intersectionality

Not surprisingly, art became his way of communicating with people when he was younger. “When I was a deaf Indigenous, I had no one to play with and didn’t know how to communicate,” said the visual artist, who answered a series of questions for us via email. “An elder saw me sitting alone and showed me how to start drawing as a means of communication and then taught me how to do dots. My art becomes my words.” He learned a style of Aboriginal dot painting – an art form more than 60,000 years old – from his grandmother and his Aunty Mum Shirl. 

Although he’s a successful Indigenous artist, McDonald has always had obstacles in life as an intersectional LGBTQ+ person. “I’m deaf, Aboriginal, and gay! It is difficult to be in just one of these categories. I was bullied by deaf kids for being sissy when I was a kid. A lot of LGBT people avoid talking to me because it’s too hard or because I am seen as imperfect or less than. Indigenous people are behind the general population. Indigenous people with disabilities are even further behind,” he said. “I don’t care anymore. I have worked hard to show my sparkles,” he continues, sending us a link to one of his Indigenous dot paintings, Staying Alive. 

NEXUS Exhibition at Sydney WorldPride

More than 500 people came to see McDonald’s most recent artwork, NEXUS, at Flinders Street Gallery from February 11 to March 4, 2023. He describes NEXUS as “viewing the world in different ways. The universe belongs to me and to people of all colors. It doesn’t matter where you come from.” He continues, “I hope NEXUS can be a place for all Indigenous people to feel at peace when they see my work. I want to raise awareness about culture and barriers, and I want people to see my story and think about their own.”

McDonald also hopes that his work amplifies underrepresented people who sometimes feel like there’s no place for them. “The universe belongs to me and the people of all colors. You might be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, religious, living with a disability, from the LGBTQIA+ community, or any combination. It doesn’t matter where you come from.”

Drawing Inspiration from the Sights in Sydney 

As part of our interview with McDonald, we wanted to know what some of his favorite spots are in the Sydney area. This is a travel website, right?! So, here goes… Try the risotto marinara at his favorite restaurant Zafferano Trattoria Mediterranea in Paddington, located close to Oxford Street, and once a route for Aboriginal people traveling to what is now the CBD or central business district.

Check out the Paddington Markets for the diversity of shopping, to mingle with the locals and visitors, and the eateries. “On Saturdays during the summer, I go to the beach early then catch the bus back to the markets to get some of my favorite foods and flowers.” It’s the seven-days-a-week scene on Queen Street with its high-end shops, boutiques, and galleries that are well worth a browse, he told Qantas’ Insider.

McDonald draws inspiration on the ferry from Watsons Bay to Circular Quay, especially the reds and yellows that paint the sky at sunset. He also loves the view of the city lights and the Sydney Harbour Bridge from the water. Watsons Bay was known as Kutti by the Aboriginal people who fished the area. 

He also recommends a few restaurants and bars. On Oxford Street, family-owned and operated The Beacham is “friendly, with good, reasonably priced food and drinks.” The Light Brigade’s rooftop is a favorite for sunsets and the perfect post-beach winddown for great cocktails and food. on Oxford Street as well as the ImperiaErskineville are must-visit bars. The latter (Imperia) was the location for scenes from The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. 

And instead of the Bondi Swimming Club, he suggests Wylie’s Baths for a morning dip to start the day in Sydney, home to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. 

You can follow Daniel McDonald on his website, Facebook and Instagram. If you want more travel inspiration, check out our Queer Sydney Travel Guide for other places to see, things to do, and places to stay when planning your trip to Oz.