McDonald was awarded the 2008 John Moores Painting Prize for the canvas "Fontana", receiving a bequest of £25,000."'Slasher' painting wins art prize", BBC News, 18 September 2008. The painting refers to the work and practice of the Italian painter Lucio Fontana, who was infamous for slashing and puncturing his paintings. McDonald's painting pictures an artist at work at the easel but has real holes in the surface of the painting. The painting was chosen from 3,222 entries, shortlisted to 40 works which were judged by Sacha Craddock, Jake and Dinos Chapman, Paul Morrison and Graham Crowley.Natalie Hanman (18 September 2008) "Peter McDonald wins John Moores prize", theguardian.com
