Giuseppe Penone : Thunderstruck Tree

Impressive sculpture at the Serpentine Gallery by Giuseppe Penone.

The work was left over from a show at the gallery which was closed by the time I went but this outdoor hadn't been moved yet.

It consisted of a black, blasted tree made of bronze, evidently cast from a real tree from Belgium which was struck by lightning. The trunk is lined with golf leaf highlighting its wounds. It brought to mind the Japanese repair technique, Kintsugi.

The work looked beautiful sitting in the park with Kensington Palace behind.

Exhibition ended 7 September 2025


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