‘What Remains’ is a bronze leaf collection inspired by nature’s pattern of disappearance, both physical and metaphysical, tangible and intangible.

This collection consists of leaves from a sycamore tree preserved in bronze. They were collected in the summer of 2015 at the foot of the South Downs in East Sussex. The surrounding land has been inhabited for many thousands of years.

The characteristic features of these particular leaves bear witness to this ancient place of origin and individual life, how they relate to a wider historical, geographical and human context.

Each leaf tells a story of what remains and what is lost. There are parallels between leaf and land, nature and man, memory and history. The leaves were partially eaten by caterpillars; yet resilient, they lived on in their partiality.

Likewise, the landscape shows and preserves signs of its history, both natural and human.

The emphasis is on the essential, the continuity of life itself, that withstands the drama of destruction. There is a dialogue between the fragments and the whole; threads in the great tapestry of Nature.

The organic is transformed into a different material, freezing in time its form and essence. The delicacy of detail in leaf shapes and textures contrasts with the solidity of bronze. This series evokes questions about our perceptions of fragility and strength, transience and permanence.

This bronze leaf collection was completed in 2017 by Ashleaf London, cast in bronze at the Crucible Foundry in Fulham.

This sculpture is cast in solid bronze and mounted to a magnificent Portland stone base which is included in the price.