The Oak Leaf Memorial Project was a participatory art project for anyone who experienced loss of any kind due to the coronavirus pandemic.
 
For over a year we faced great sadness and loss as the death toll from coronavirus increased. From my own experience of loss, I recognised that grief is a heavy burden to carry.
 
In March 2020 a government scientist stated that if we (UK) came through this pandemic with less than 25,000 deaths, we would be doing well (BBC News). At the time I was shocked. On 26th January 2021 we passed 100,000 Covid related deaths in the UK (BBC News). 
 
The idea for this project developed as I walked tree lined paths during the autumn of 2020. The patterns and shapes of the beautiful oak leaves along the path captured my attention and I began to understand that every leaf is unique. I decided to base the project on this beauty and uniqueness, capturing and expressing the beauty and uniqueness of every person lost to this virus.

I recognised that taking part in this project would not resolve anyone's situation, however I hoped that through creating a leaf in memory of someone they might have experienced some distraction from the difficulties they faced, might have processed their grief a little more and might have understood they were not alone in their suffering. 

If you would like to create a leaf and add it to the project, please email me using the contact form and I will forward instructions.