A curation by Flavio Scaloni, Gallery Manager at Galerie Lo Scalo - Forests and woodlands have long been a profound source of inspiration for artists, embodying a rich tapestry of meanings. The woods are a space of paradox: they can symbolize tranquility, sanctuary, and natural harmony, yet also mystery, danger, and the unconscious mind. This dual nature makes the theme a compelling subject for artists seeking to explore human emotion, the passage of time, and our complex relationship with the natural world. In art history, Romantic painters like Caspar David Friedrich often depicted forests as spiritual or sublime realms. In the 20th century, the theme was reinterpreted with a more psychological lens. The Surrealists, notably Max Ernst, used wooded scenes to create dreamlike and unsettling compositions, such as his work The Whole City, which features a strange, petrified forest. The Italian artist Giuseppe Penone, a key figure of the Arte Povera movement, has dedicated his career to exploring the profound connection between human and tree, often by carving or "un-growing" a wooden beam to reveal the younger tree form hidden within, as seen in his renowned series Alberi (Trees). This collection celebrates the enduring power of the woods, a theme that continues to shape our artistic imagination.