Image by Peter Walker Sculptor
‘The Leaves of the Trees’ was created to honour those who have passed away during the pandemic, while also giving us all an opportunity to reflect on our collective experience.
Sheffield Cathedral will be hosting the nationally touring memorial by Peter Walker from 3-29 October.
Designed to be a reflective memorial to the pandemic, the installation is made up of 5,000 steel leaves which will be laid out on the steps of St George’s Chapel down into the Nave, like fallen autumn leaves. Appearing as though naturally scattered by the wind, the leaves symbolise the past and what has transpired.
“Sheffield Cathedral has long been a place of remembrance and over the years many people have found comfort and hope in this place. We are sure that the ‘Leaves of the Trees’ installation will be another symbol of remembrance in these days when so many have been affected by the Coronavirus. The bible verse associated with the installation gives hope and peace as we face the future. ‘The leaves of the trees are for the healing of the nations‘ Revelation 22:2.”
As a way of also symbolising the future, the leaves are shaped as sycamore maple leaves and each leaf has the word HOPE written upon it. The shape has been chosen as it symbolises strength, protection, eternity and clarity.
Sculptor Peter Walker, who is part of the team that brought ‘The Angels are Coming’ and ‘The Observatory’ to Sheffield Cathedral, chose steel as the material of the leaves to remind us all of our resilience and collective strength.
“I’m delighted that the ‘Leaves of the Trees’ installation artwork will be available for the people of Sheffield to see. Bringing this artwork of 5000 steel leaves to the “Steel City” creates an extra level of meaning and poignancy. I came up with the idea for a reflective memorial early on within lockdown, however an extensive discussion with Canon Keith Farrow from Sheffield a few months ago helped to forge the sentiment and bring it to fruition. It is therefore fitting that as one of its exhibition venues around the UK the artwork is shown within this remarkable Cathedral.”
You can experience the ‘Leaves of the Trees’ at Sheffield Cathedral from 3-29 October during normal opening hours, and admission is free.
The installation is at Exeter Cathedral until the end of September. It will then go on to visit both Lichfield and Rochester Cathedral, supported by the Guild of Heath and St Raphael.
Images from Exeter Cathedral by Peter Walker Sculptor.