The First Flower — Autumn I records the first moment when the Young King notices that Summer is beginning to change.
The flowers are still present. Their colours remain warm. Summer continues to occupy much of what he sees, while small differences begin to reveal another season.
Near his foot, a single petal has fallen.
The first small difference
The Young King experiences this moment through the perception of a child around eight years old. He notices the flowers, their colours and the changes immediately before him.
Flowers remain relatively abundant across his chest, carrying Summer into the opening of Autumn. Yet some appear less full or less uniform than before. Small differences in their petals and shapes interrupt the memory of Summer’s fullest bloom.
Leaves begin to appear. One petal has fallen.
To him, these are simple observations. Within the chronology of The First Flower, they become the first visible signs of Autumn.
Summer’s warmth remains
Pink and purple introduce the seasonal shift, while orange around the thighs and legs retains the warmth of Summer.
The sculpture remains bright, warm and alive. Autumn is only beginning to become recognisable.
On the back, two large flowers with long stems stand against broad areas of ivory. This quieter arrangement gives the work a different rhythm from the more abundant front.
Their proportions and uneven lines preserve the way a child draws something seen or remembered.
The familiar presences
The Blue Butterfly remains a familiar presence beside the Young King, carrying continuity from the moments that came before.
The Genesis Shell Fragment continues as a reminder of origin. Its established meaning remains with him as the seasonal story moves forward.
The fallen petal carries the clearest new sign: Summer is beginning to loosen its presence.
A moment preserved in wax crayon
The floral marks continue in unvarnished wax crayon. Their directness, unevenness and simple forms preserve the perception and hand of a child.
Autumn I holds this gentle threshold within a single moment. The flowers remain. Their warmth remains. A small change has become visible.
Summer is still here, but Autumn has begun.
Stories may return.
Characters may return.
Moments never return.