Olivia O'Connor, Leadbeater's Possum Trophy (ART & OBJECTS 2025)

Photos:

Olivia O'Connor

Video tour

https://www.instagram.com/p/DLMUvxeTKWP/?hl=en

Country

Australia

Commissioned by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), this perpetual trophy marks the beginning of the annual Research and Information Award, presented at the State Library of Victoria. The design reflects Victoria’s state symbols: the Leadbeater’s Possum, a critically endangered species, and the Common Pink Heath. Together they represent resilience, rarity, and care for the natural environment — fitting emblems for an award celebrating research, knowledge, and cultural contribution. The trophy is carved entirely from a single, exquisite piece of Huon pine, gifted to me a few years ago, and kept aside for a project of lasting importance. At 25cm tall, the work balances strength and delicacy. The possum is carved from the piece of timber it climbs. To ensure accuracy and proportion, I first modelled the design in cardboard and plasticine at one-to-one scale before committing to timber. The reductive carving was completed with traditional gouges, my favourite type of work demanding both patience and precision, and finished with oil to enhance the natural beauty and warmth of the Huon pine. Working at this scale presented challenges: the ears were carved last due to their fragility, while the tiny hands and feet — my favourite details — were carefully shaped to reveal knuckles and joints — very slowly as some are carved into end grain! As a perpetual trophy, each year’s recipient will be engraved onto the base, creating a growing history around the carved forms. The commission was both a privilege and a delight: a rare opportunity to combine technical craftsmanship with symbolic meaning in service of an institution dedicated to knowledge and community. The result is a work that honours not only Victoria’s emblems but also the enduring value of skill, trust, and tradition in woodcarving.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.