Giuseppe Penone (b. 1947), an artist renowned for his deep engagement with the natural world, opens Thoughts in the Roots, an exhibition that spans his expansive five-decade career. The show, bringing together a range of works from 1969 to the present-day, highlights Penone’s unwavering exploration of the relationship between humanity and nature. Born in 1947 in Garessio, Italy, Penone’s practice reflects his profound connection to the landscapes of Northern Italy, where he first developed an awareness of nature’s rhythms and processes. His works, often made from organic materials such as wood, stone, and metal, have been celebrated for their exploration of the forces that govern life, growth and decay. Thoughts in the Roots provides a comprehensive look at Penone’s art, offering insights into his pursuit of uncovering the hidden structures of the world around us.
Penone’s practice is deeply rooted in the Arte Povera movement, which emerged in Italy during the late 1960s. The movement, defined by its use of raw, natural materials and its rejection of commercial art practices, aimed to challenge the traditional boundaries of art and engage more intimately with the essence of nature. Through this approach, Arte Povera artists sought to break away from conventional materials like oil paints and marble, instead opting for substances that were more grounded in the world around them – that had both history and life. Alongside Penone, prominent figures like Michelangelo Pistoletto, Jannis Kounellis and Mario Merz also embraced this ethos, using everyday objects and organic elements to provoke a deeper engagement with their environment and challenge societal norms. For Penone, this meant experimenting with the very essence of the natural world – transforming trees, stones and metals into sculptures that not only depict nature but also engage in a dialogue with it. In his works, wood and bronze become metaphors for life, growth and transformation.
Thoughts in the Roots is the most comprehensive presentation of Penone’s work to date, featuring pieces that span over 50 years of artistic exploration. The show is an immersive experience that highlights the tactile qualities of Penone’s materials and their symbolic resonance. From delicate sculptures that mirror the growth of trees to large-scale installations that invite the viewer to engage with the environment, the exhibition reveals Penone’s ability to transform ordinary materials into extraordinary works of art. His works are an invitation to pause and reflect on the quiet processes of the natural world, which are often overlooked or hidden beneath the surface. Through this, Penone continues to ask vital questions about humanity’s place in the broader ecology of life.
A recurring theme is the fusion of the organic and the artistic. Penone’s work explores the idea of nature as an active participant in the creation of art. He emphasises the importance of his materials and their inherent qualities: wood, for instance, retains the memory of the tree from which it was carved, and stone carries the weight of geological history. His sculptures and installations often reflect this interaction, as the artist allows the materials to express themselves in response to both the artist’s hand and the wider world. Penone’s art does not merely represent nature; it acts as a bridge, encouraging a deeper understanding of natural patterns and cycles. As the artist says: “All of my work is a trial to express my adherence and belonging to nature, and it is with this thought that I have chosen the works for the exhibition. The two paths that I have created, inside the gallery and outside of it, in the park, become two integrated gardens.”
The work extends beyond the gallery, blending seamlessly with its surrounding environment. Thoughts in the Roots includes both indoor and outdoor installations that encourage a dynamic relationship between the art and the landscape. This integration allows the work to extend beyond the confines of the exhibition space and interact with the natural world. The outdoor sculptures, placed within the park surrounding the gallery, exemplify Penone’s belief in the interconnectedness of nature and art. The park itself becomes part of the installation, enhancing the viewer’s experience of the work and highlighting the importance of context in Penone’s practice. In discussing his approach, Penone reflects on the sensory aspects of his work, stating: “To breathe the perfume of the leaves that cover the walls of the environment, to inhale the fragrance of the resin extracted from the trees and poured into an empty tree trunk, these are actions that allow us to perceive the space of Serpentine as a continuum with the nature of the park that surrounds it.”
The exhibition also features new works that have never been shown in the UK before, further expanding Penone’s exploration of his enduring themes. These pieces exemplify his experimental approach to materials and process, revealing the delicate balance between human intervention and the natural world. Through this combination of old and new works, Penone’s exhibition offers a retrospective of his career while also presenting fresh perspectives on his evolving practice.
Bettina Korek, CEO of Serpentine, and Hans Ulrich Obrist, Artistic Director of Serpentine, have praised the exhibition as a significant moment in Penone’s career. They say, “We are honoured to present Giuseppe Penone’s exhibition at Serpentine South. Thoughts in the Roots will celebrate his impressive five-decade practice and uncover the visual, tactile, and olfactory dimensions of the materials he explores. Revealing the fragile and poetic relationships between humans and nature, the exhibition will exemplify Penone’s experimental research and feature new works presented in the UK for the first time and extends into The Royal Parks. Following his participation in the Garden Marathon at Serpentine in 2011 and his contribution to 140 Artists’ Ideas for Planet Earth, we’re thrilled that this leading figure of the Arte Povera movement has accepted our invitation to bring the Park into the gallery and vice versa. Responding to the Spring and Summer seasons, Penone’s delicate landscape will nurture Serpentine’s mission of building new connections between artists and audiences.”
Viewers are invited to consider their own relationships with nature and the environments they inhabit. By engaging with Penone’s sculptures, installations, and outdoor works, attendees are encouraged to reflect on the hidden, often imperceptible processes that shape the natural world. Penone’s art serves as a reminder of the deep interconnection between humanity and nature, urging us to understand and respect the forces that sustain life. The exhibition is an opportunity to immerse oneself in the subtle beauty and profound complexity of the natural world, all while experiencing the continued evolution of one of contemporary art’s most influential figures.
Giuseppe Penone: Thoughts in the Roots is at Serpentine Galleries, London, until 7 September 2025.
Words: Anna Müller
Image Credits:
1. Giuseppe Penone, Idee di pietra (Ideas of Stone), 2010 – 2024. Bronze and river stones. ©Photo: George Darrell. Courtesy Giuseppe Penone and Serpentine.
2. Giuseppe Penone, Albero folgorato (Thunderstruck Tree), 2012. Bronze and gold. ©Photo: George Darrell. Courtesy Giuseppe Penone and Serpentine.
3. Giuseppe Penone, Idee di pietra (Ideas of Stone), 2010 – 2024. Bronze and river stones. ©Photo: George Darrell. Courtesy Giuseppe Penone and Serpentine.
4. Giuseppe Penone, Albero folgorato (Thunderstruck Tree), 2012. Bronze and gold. ©Photo: George Darrell. Courtesy Giuseppe Penone and Serpentine.
5. Giuseppe Penone, Idee di pietra (Ideas of Stone), 2010 – 2024. Bronze and river stones. ©Photo: George Darrell. Courtesy Giuseppe Penone and Serpentine.
