Pods

A landscaped outdoor area with young plants in mulched garden beds surrounded by mesh fencing. Tall eucalyptus trees and other native vegetation fill the background under a partly cloudy sky. On the right, a striking sculpture made of tall wooden poles topped with multiple large, dark metal pods creates a focal point. A red brick building is partially visible behind the trees.

Artist: Jonathan Leahey

Medium: mild steel, stainless steel, optic fibres

Location: Gasworks Arts Park

Illuminating the Pods:

  1. Use a torch or the flashlight on your phone.
  2. Locate the polished hub lens at the end of the stem extending from the ground in front of the sculpture.
  3. Place the light directly onto this hub lens.
  4. Watch as the tips of each pod begin to glow with pinpoints of light.
  5. If the light source moves, the movement will be visible throughout the fibre optic strand

How the Pods Light Up

About 

The concept of 'Pods' draws its inspiration from the noble aspiration of fostering a welcoming habitat for our local avian residents. 'Pods' does not emulate a specific plant species but rather takes cues from the indigenous flora such as Kunzea, Banksia, Bottlebrush, and Doryanthes, with the aim of providing a nurturing environment for our feathered friends. Enlarging a cluster of these pods has the potential to create a suitable nesting place.

Standing at an impressive height of 4 meters, 'Pods' distinguishes itself through its interactive nature. Designed to be a perch for the park's avian visitors, it invites park-goers of all ages and abilities to partake in the experience. Visitors will have the opportunity to deposit birdseed on the sculpture, attracting local birds and offering a place to rest and nest, encouraging interaction with the artwork on many different levels. Ultimately, 'Pods' serves as a testament to the innate beauty of the natural world, mirroring the essence of Gasworks Arts Park itself. Its overarching message remains steadfast: in this place, creations come to life. The development of this sculpture has been a collaborative effort, with valuable insights from Jacob Ladi, the head gardener of St Kilda Botanical Gardens, to ensure its seamless integration with the park's organic milieu.

Visit the Port Phillip City Collection, pp2025.1.679