London, 1 April , 2025 – The Italian Embassy in London was delighted to host a private dinner at the Ambassador’s Residence in celebration of the opening of Thoughts in the Roots, a major new exhibition showcasing the extraordinary works of renowned Italian artist Giuseppe Penone. The exhibition, curated by Claude Adjil, Hans Ulrich Obrist, and Alexa Chow, marks the most comprehensive presentation of Penone’s work ever held in the UK.
Ambassador Inigo Lambertini expressed his enthusiasm for the exhibition, stating, “It is a true privilege to be here today to inaugurate Thoughts in the Roots, a landmark exhibition dedicated to the extraordinary work of Giuseppe Penone, presented by Serpentine. This retrospective offers a unique opportunity to engage with one of Italy’s most distinguished contemporary artists and to reflect on the profound relationship between nature and human existence that permeates his oeuvre.”
On view from April 3 to September 7, 2025, Thoughts in the Roots will be staged at Serpentine South, extending into the Royal Parks with monumental outdoor sculptures that continue Penone’s exploration of the natural world. Penone’s works are deeply influenced by the forested landscapes of his native Northern Italy, and his lifelong exploration of the relationship between humans and nature takes centre stage in Thoughts in the Roots. Featuring works from 1969 to the present, the exhibition highlights Penone’s innovative approach to materials, incorporating 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 sculptures, cast in bronze, which are positioned on the plinth and around Serpentine South, allowing visitors to experience the synergy between the gallery space and the surrounding parkland. These sculptures underscore the recurring motif of trees in Penone’s work, enabling 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, a movement celebrated for its use of natural materials and techniques that challenge traditional artistic practices. With a career spanning over five decades, Penone’s work has been exhibited worldwide in major institutions, including the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, among many others. 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 into the delicate yet powerful relationship between the two.
Per info: stampa.amblondra@esteri.it
