Gael O' Leary - Sculptor
Gael O'Leary is a Catholic nun who is a member of Nga Whaea Atawhai o Aotearoa New Zealand Sisters of Mercy. Well known as a sculptor, Gael also has an extensive background in art as a teacher and as a painter and printmaker. Her art has explored themes such as homelessness, abuse of women and the alienation from their land as experienced by Tangata whenua in New Zealand and Aboriginal people in Australia. Social justice issues and exploring her journey in faith have fired her art for the past thirty years.
Gael's specialization in the area of bronze sculpture began in 1987 with her first major sculpture commission, a bronze relief of the Prodigal Son for St Mary's parish church Northcote, New Zealand. This was followed by other commissions for hospitals and churches in New Zealand and Australia.
In 1994 Gael traveled to Australia to undertake her degree, Master of Fine Art (Sculpture), from the Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne University. Upon completion of her two year course Gael was commissioned to create a Centennial Bronze (two, five metre wall reliefs) for Mt Lilydale Mercy College. Commissions throughout Australia snowballed after that. With the blessing of her Congregation, Gael made her base in Melbourne where she has undertaken major sculpture commissions not only in Australia, but in New Zealand and in the USA. Today she combines this work with teaching sculpture at the Mercy Sculpture Centre which is based in Highett, Melbourne.
Gael has worked with many churches, schools, hospitals, religious communities and other institutions to create stunning works in bronze.
"I see myself as part of a long line of artists within the church who have given visual expression to important gospel values. Often a visual image will evoke a stronger response than the written word."
Larger than life size monuments, religious figures, high-relief sculpture, figurative as well as abstract works are among Gael's repertoire and she is able to work with clients to create a sculpture specific to their needs.
To download a copy of Gael's curriculum vitae click here.
