David McLeod, ‘Crown:Land:Crown’ (1992), University of Otago, Main Campus, Ōtepoti Dunedin

Image: Bronwyn Holloway-Smith, Public Art Heritage Aotearoa New Zealand, 2021

University of Otago

Sir Robert Aitken

Union St Bridge, Main Campus, University of Otago, North Dunedin, Ōtepoti Dunedin

Outside the St. David Lecture Theatre, Main Campus, University of Otago, North Dunedin, Ōtepoti Dunedin

Crown:Land:Crown

David McLeod was born in Dunstan and studied at the Dunedin School of Art, graduating in 1973. Later he would also study at Monash University (Australia)

graduating in 1999. Since 1974 he has taught sculpture, 3D design, and jewellery in tertiary institutions.

McLeod's sculptural practice began with an interest in large-scale, carved media such as stone and wood. From 1985 onward he turned toward smaller scale works using bone, stone and dense hardwoods. His studies a Monash University developed this interest toward jewellery, which McLeod treats as miniature sculpture.

 In 2001 McLeod resign from teaching to focus on his jewellery practice, establishing SHED Workspace, with Blair Smith, Hamish Campbell and Ang Jewiss, in Dunedin.