‘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 symbolises the past and what has transpired.

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. Steel, especially fitting for Sheffielders, was chosen as the material for the leaves to remind us all of our resilience and collective strength.

You can experience the ‘Leaves of the Trees’ at Sheffield Cathedral from 3-29 October during normal opening hours, and entry is free.

The installation was created by sculptor Peter Walker, who is part of the team that brought ‘The Angels are Coming’ and ‘The Observatory’ to Sheffield Cathedral.

The art 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. 

Thanks to Peter Walker for the image.