sculptor, painter, teacher, and illustrator was born in Trucklead, Victoria. A graduate of the Ballarat School of Art he came to Western Australia in 1904 and was engaged to teach at Fremantle Technical School. He taught art metalwork, art leatherwork and other general subjects until he resigned in controversy over students acting as models for life classes and left to study overseas in 1912. He was replaced by Daisy Rossi. When he returned he went into private practice as a designer craftsman and modelled a number of plaster busts.
McLeod, who was active in the artistic life of Perth also painted in oils and watercolour, carved wood and made some metalwork but is primarily known as a sculptor. His goldfish painting exhibited with the West Australian Society of Arts in 1909 was mentioned in reviews for the quality of the still-life portion of the painting. In 1920 he exhibited seven watercolour scenes and a design for a national memorial. In 1922 he exhibited three oil paintings, two watercolours and some 'autolithographs’. In 1924 he exhibited three portrait heads for realization in bronze and marble and a portrait head medallion. In 1927 magazine illustration as well as watercolours and a sculpture Dr Sidney Montgomery. In 1929, Leslie Rees wrote, “Mr J. MacLeod is well known as one of the few modellers and sculptors in the city.” His portrait of Doris Pierce exhibited in 1924 demonstrates that skill. He was commissioned to make a bronze statue of Paddy Hannan for Kalgoorlie Town Hall. He also designed and made an ornate presentation box for the Tenth Light Horse to give to the Tenth Hussars. He designed and modelled the bronze centenary plaque for Perth Town Hall in 1929. He was a member of the West Australian Society of Arts with which he exhibited regularly and held numerous positions including President 1932-1934.
- Writers:
- Dr Dorothy Erickson
- Date written:
- 2010
- Last updated:
- 2011
