Elena McDonough, b. 1993 in London, England, is a fine art & documentary photographer based between London, Cornwall, and Grand Cayman. Working primarily in digital photography, McDonough is best known for her large photographic prints that capture the natural world. Her practice is rooted in a refined visual language that reflects her deep engagement with the environments she inhabits, particularly those of the Cayman Islands.
McDonough's work is characterised by a sustained exploration of flora, fauna, and natural landscapes, with a specific focus on the ecological richness of the Cayman Islands. Her images offer an immersive experience that bridges documentary precision and aesthetic sensitivity, articulating a quiet reverence for creation. Her practice is marked by a contemplative approach that foregrounds themes of environmental stewardship and the ephemeral beauty of island ecosystems.
EXHIBITIONS
Ongoing representation at the Ritz-Carlton gallery, Grand Cayman
2024 Beyond Function, The Hub Pop-Up Gallery, Cayman Art Week, Cayman Islands
2023 Solo Pop-Up, Bliss, Cayman Islands
2021 Akin, Al Ebanks Gallery, Cayman Art Week, Cayman Islands
2019 Homecoming, The Space, Cayman Islands
2018 Mother/Human Nature, Al Ebanks Gallery, Cayman Islands
2018 Coral Encounters: Photographs from our Underwater World, National Gallery of the Cayman Islands
2017 Upon The Seas, National Gallery of the Cayman Islands
2016 Wet the Bed, Reedbed Launch at Crate Brewery, London UK
2016 Through the Lens, in partnership with the London Sinfonietta at The Warehouse, London UK
2016 27º Degrees, London College of Communication, London UK
2015 tIDal shift, National Gallery of the Cayman Islands