Flowers are among nature’s most temporary creations. They bloom, fade, and disappear, making them familiar symbols of beauty and the passage of time. But what happens when their delicate forms are carved into something designed to last for centuries?

That question sits at the center of Permanence in Bloom, a new exhibition by British-born sculptor Jon Isherwood, opening October 29 at Leila Heller Gallery in New York. Known for his ability to make solid stone appear remarkably fluid, Isherwood transforms floral shapes into intricate marble sculptures. Petals twist, fold, and unfurl across polished surfaces, creating forms that seem almost soft to the touch. The contrast is central to his work: something as fragile as a flower becomes a permanent object, while marble takes on an unexpected sense of movement. The exhibition features works from Isherwood’s Blooms series, originally developed for a public art installation along Broadway in 2021. Inspired partly by Édouard Manet’s paintings of peonies and the tradition of giving flowers, the sculptures explore how we attempt to preserve moments, memories, and gestures of affection.

Isherwood’s process is equally intriguing. Combining traditional stone carving with digital modeling and robotic fabrication, he brings centuries-old sculptural techniques into conversation with contemporary technology. The results feel both classical and distinctly modern, challenging expectations of what marble sculpture can look like.

Presented alongside The Wild Within by Ryan Koopmans and Alice Wexell, the exhibition also opens a broader conversation about nature, transformation, and the relationship between organic forms and human intervention. With more than 25 solo exhibitions and works in public collections internationally, Isherwood has spent decades exploring the expressive possibilities of stone. Permanence in Bloom offers a focused look at that ongoing fascination, where the fleeting beauty of nature meets the enduring weight of marble.

Permanence in Bloom runs October 29–November 21, 2026, at Leila Heller Gallery, 22 East 80th Street, New York. The opening reception takes place October 29, from 6–8 PM.