The Leaves Of The Trees, by acclaimed sculptor Peter Walker, opens on Monday at Southwell Minster

An artwork installation, acting as a reflective memorial to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, is being hosted by Southwell Minster.

The Leaves Of The Trees, by acclaimed sculptor Peter Walker, opens on Monday.

It comprise 5,000 5ins leaves, each cut from 1mm mild steel, chosen as the material for the leaves to remind us of our resilience and collective strength. The leaves will slowly change from steel to rusted tones, just as the leaves of trees do when they fall each year.

Each leaf, individually carved with the word HOPE, will be laid out on the floor, creating a cascading impression of autumn leaves fallen from the trees, appearing as though naturally scattered by the wind.

The Dean of Southwell, the Very Rev Nicola Sullivan, said: “We have all been affected by the terrible impact of the pandemic. We have had so few ways to grieve and Peter Walker’s simple but powerful installation will help us find healing and hope amidst our tears and loss.

“This is for everyone ­— whatever age or faith, and we invite everyone to come to their cathedral for moments of quiet reflection.”

Peter Walker produces sculptures, paintings, drawings, installation pieces, and Son-et-Lumiere for large-scale public art events, and has produces many bronze public statues permanently located around the country, and has works in private and public collections worldwide.

He is currently artistic director and resident artist at Lichfield Cathedral and consults with other UK cathedrals on visionary and unique artistic programmes that he creates specifically for them.

He said: “Over the past 12 months we have collectively seen many of the things we take for granted, moved out of reach, and confronted by challenges, personal, national and international which have not been experienced for generations.

“Yet despite this, and despite the hardships, loss and difficulties, there has been hope. Hope exposed as glimpses of individual endeavour, kindness and service, hope as revealed by nature and the joy that it brings and hope which human ingenuity and resolve has revealed.

“The Leaves Of The Trees installation is designed to provide an opportunity to take a moment out of our lives and to reflect on our individual and collective experience and to allow us to recall that there is hope, in its many manifestations, which is ever more visible to us through kindness, faith, science and family.”

The Leaves Of The Trees will be in Southwell from May 10 to June 6 after spells at Exeter, Sheffield and Lichfield cathedrals in the latter half of 2020.

It has been part-funded by Newark and Sherwood District Council.