Arbour

Arbour, the first public art commission by internationally acclaimed jewellery design Shaun Leane, completed in October 2018.

Multi award-winning Leane, who is best known known for his one-of-a-kind catwalk jewellery and longstanding relationship with fashion designer Alexander McQueen, was commissioned by Grainger plc to design an artwork across the façade of this new residential development at 21 Young Street in Kensington, West London, designed by Assael Architecture.

Arbour is made up of 1,850 bronze sculpted leaves and three-dimensional branches, made by Cumbrian-based sculptural metalworker Chris Brammall Ltd. Leane looked to transfer onto the 30 x 40m facade the greenery of neighbouring Kensington Square, where trees soften and dapple the light in contrast to the area’s linear, urban backdrop. Weaving their way across the façade, the density of the leaves varies on each balcony as if blowing in an autumnal breeze. Leane’s work captures both the fragility and strength of nature in the work, a theme which heavily reflects his signature jewellery aesthetic.

Curated by Futurecity, this is one of the biggest public realm commissions in the UK undertaken by a jewellery designer and Leane’s first public art commission. Leane won the commission through a competitive process managed by Futurecity. His proposal was selected by a specially convened Arts Advisory Panel, including representatives from Grainger, Assael Architecture, Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, Victoria & Albert Museum and local residents.

In recognition of the scale and profile of the commission, a piece of the artwork is now on permanent display in the Ironwork collection at the V&A Museum.