McLeod Sculpture
Aden & Karena McLeod

History

Born in Texas (1950), of Scottish and Cherokee Indian descent, Aden McLeod has captured the likeness of world figures, historical identities and outback characters with his distinctive style. During a 35 year odyssey Aden has explored over 80 countries, interpreting their cultures in his work and sharing his holistic approach to sculpture with local communities.

Working with breathtaking speed and startling intensity, Aden’s deft hands pummel and manipulate the clay to portray features rich in emotion, texture, dimension and movement. The finished work is a stunning combination of light reflective burnished and patina bronze.

A flamboyant performance artist, Aden delights in taking his art to the people and has mesmerised audiences worldwide with his ability to intuitively reveal the spirit and likeness of his subjects. He also revels in the opportunity and freedom to create purely imaginative works with compelling and provocative results. The expressions of his sculptures seem to beg the statement, ‘Please hear what I am not saying…'.

Recent Works

• "Artistico" Sculpture demonstration and exhibition, Cairns Botanic Gardens
• 'Spirit of the Sea', Devonport, Tasmania - Installation of an imposing 15 foot bronze figure coming up out of the sea, trident thrust above his head, water streaming down his body, erected at the mouth of the Mersey River.
• Donated a life size figure of a child to the Make a Wish Foundation in Devonport to raffle and raise funds.
  2007
• Functional Art Series - exploring a new medium, timber, Aden has individually designed a unique range of furniture and functional art using recylced, salvaged and specialised timbers.
  2006
• Sculpture, Portrait & Landscape Prize, Wilston School Art Show, Brisbane
  2004
• Deloraine Craft Fair, Tasmania sponsored by the Rotary Club of Deloraine.
  2003
• Resident Artist Live Internet Sculpture Broadcast during three months as artist-in-residence at Eltham College Aden created many works of art, actively involving students in the creative process which was broadcast live on the internet through the Eltham College website.
• Water Spirits in the Outback bronze sculpture of five life-size children playing in a corrugated water tank next to a windmill. Two of the sculptures are piped with water to enact splashing.
• Port Douglas Carnivale, Port Douglas, Queensland
  2002
• Mooloolaba Carnival of Arts
• Bishop Arthur Malcolm bronze bust of Australia's first indigenous bishop.
• Year of the Outback officially endorsed by 2002 Year of the Outback committee, Aden toured nationally sculpting the people of the outback in over 22 towns, communities and stations. The national tour was launched in January when Aden sculpted a bust of Ernie Dingo.
  2001
• Nelson Mandela, London, UK commissioned by the Volunteer Services Organisation, the bust was auctioned to raise funds for AIDS/HIV programs in South Africa.
  2000
• Sailor of Vilamoura, Marina de Vilamoura, Portugal life-size bronze of a sailor standing at the helm to celebrate the Marina’s 25th anniversary. Cast on site using a mobile foundry.
• H.M. Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, London, UK with the Queen Mothers permission Aden sculpted a life-size figure of H.M. live in Trafalgar Square on her 100th birthday.
• Bath Millennium Fete, Bath, UK commissioned by the Charter Trustees of Bath to create a life-size clay image of two of the city’s famous residents.
• Tamworth Country Music Festival, Tamworth, Australia life-size sculpture of country music legend, Smoky Dawson. The clay sculpture was fired at the Gunnedah Brickworks. Also sculpted music artists Adam Brand, Lee Kernaghan and Tom Swatzell, and Australian line dancing champions Julie Talbot and Gordon Elliott.
  1999
• Woodford Folk Festival, Woodford, Australia commissioned to sculpt a life-size figure of festival organiser Des Ritchie and Cape York Aboriginal elder Peter Costello.
• Sheraton Hotel, Algarve, Portugal commissioned to sculpt eight terracotta busts of Portugals illustrious navigators.
  1997
• Ocean Care Day, Sydney, Australia commissioned by the Manly Council Environment Centre Aden used 1000 kilos of clay to sculpt a 6-foot face and 10-foot high hand of a man coming up out of the sand. Sculpted in public on Ocean Beach, Manly, the event was sponsored by Blackmore’s Health Products to raise awareness of environmental care.
• Symphony on the Sand, Sydney, Australia commissioned by Warringah Council for sculpture demonstrations. Sculpted musician James Morrisson as he performed on stage.