1 April 2025 – The Embassy of Italy in London hosted a reception at the Ambassador’s Residence to celebrate the opening of Thoughts in the Roots, a major retrospective dedicated to the extraordinary works of Italian artist Giuseppe Penone. Curated by Claude Adjil, Hans Ulrich Obrist and Alexa Chow, the exhibition is the first and most comprehensive presentation of the Master’s work ever held in the United Kingdom.
“Thoughts in the Roots is an important exhibition dedicated to the exceptional work of Giuseppe Penone,” said Ambassador Inigo Lambertini, enthusiastically welcoming the initiative. “This retrospective offers a unique opportunity to engage with one of Italy’s most important contemporary artists and to reflect on the profound relationship between nature and human existence that permeates his work,” he added.
Running from 3 April to 7 September 2025, Thoughts in the Roots will be presented at Serpentine South, extending into the surrounding park with monumental outdoor sculptures that continue Penone’s exploration of the natural world. The artist’s works are deeply influenced by the wooded landscapes of his native Piedmont. Featuring works from 1969 to the present, the exhibition highlights the Master’s innovative approach to materials, using wood, iron, wax, bronze, terracotta, marble and plaster to reveal the hidden rhythms and structures of the natural world. The exhibition also includes three monumental outdoor bronze sculptures installed in Kensington Gardens, allowing visitors to experience the synergy between the gallery space and the vastness of the surrounding park. The sculptures emphasise the recurring motif of trees in Penone’s work, creating a dialogue between the artistic and natural environments.
Giuseppe Penone, born in Garessio, Italy, in 1947, is one of the leading figures of the Arte Povera movement, celebrated for his use of natural materials and techniques that challenge traditional artistic practices. Over more than half a century, Penone has exhibited in some of the world’s most important institutions, including the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, to name just a few. His work has also been featured in prestigious international events such as Documenta and the Venice Biennale.
Thoughts in the Roots is a profound reflection on the interconnectedness of nature and art, offering visitors an immersive experience in the delicate yet powerful universe created by the relationship between the two.
For further information: stampa.amblondra@esteri.it
