LEISTNER, Baroness Yrsa Von
cast bronze, welded copper sheet
THE PHOENIX / SCULPTED BY YRSA VON LEISTNER / A GIFT TO THE CITY OF MELBOURNE / FROM THE 40TH INTERNATIONAL EUCHARIST CONGRESS / MELBOURNE - FEBRUARY 1973
Gifted by the 40th International Eucharistic Congress, Melbourne, 1973
City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection
The Phoenix, Baroness Yrsa Von Leistner, bronze and sheet copper statue, 1973, Queen Victoria Gardens, Roman Catholic archdiocese of Melbourne, 40th International Eucharistic Congress, Archbishop Cardinal Knox
Summary
Location: Queen Victoria Gardens
Winged figure positioned in a pond.
Baroness Yrsa Von Leistner's winged figure reaches some three metres above the waters of a pond in Queen Victoria Gardens. Originally associated with ancient Egyptians’ longings for immortality, the phoenix in Christianity has long been linked to resurrection and everlasting life. Von Leistner sculpted the symbolic figure for the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Melbourne following the 40th International Eucharistic Congress, held here in 1973. Archbishop Cardinal Knox then donated the work to the Melbourne City Council for the support it had shown during the congress.
Von Leistner flew to Australia to complete finishing touches to the rough-hewn sculpture prior to its unveiling. In March 1976, the Most Reverend T.F. Little gifted the sculpture to the citizens of Melbourne on behalf of the Melbourne Diocesan Historical Commission. He said, ‘The … phoenix is accepted throughout the world as symbolising everlasting life. It glorifies Him who is truth and eternal life.’
