He Carefully Removes Age Rings From Trees To Show The Hidden Life Within

June 13, 2016

In a series called The Hidden Life Within, Italian artist Giuseppe Penone carefully carves out the age rings in trees, basically leaving the sapling behind.

Photo: Giuseppe Penone

What's left is called heartwood. The rings are the xylem and phloem of the tree, transporting nutrients and water. Heartwood is pretty much dead and no longer has a function.

Photo: Giuseppe Penone

The sculpture actually transcends a material work and represents time itself. With a large block of wood, he carved away the years to a point in time in which the wood was younger. In this way, the work transcends the present and shows us temporality itself.

Photo: Giuseppe Penone

"My artwork shows, with the language of sculpture, the essence of matter and tries to reveal with the work, the hidden life within."

Photo: Giuseppe Penone

The Hidden Life Within has been displayed in art galleries all over the world.

Photo: Giuseppe Penone