Embracing the Botanical:

The essence of Folia

By Analuz Arévalo

December 10, 2024

  

A few years ago, Pietro began to take an interest in plants and botany, particularly begonias, because their leaves are asymmetrical and there are many different species. This fascination led us to visit botanical gardens.

In Guatemala, there is a great diversity of flora and fauna, so we explored several parks, such as Tikal National Park, Biotopo del Quetzal, Siete Altares, and Semuc Champey. It was there that the idea of creating a piece inspired by the foliage and movement of plants began to take shape.

In 2022, we visited the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in England. Initially, we wanted to create a print or 2D art to capture the colors and textures we encountered, particularly being impressed by the aquatic plants.

Other gardens evoke nostalgia, feeling frozen in time, such as the Botanical Garden of Lisbon.

We also loved the Fairchild Botanic Garden in Coral Gables for its beautiful paths and well-maintained park. Personally, I particularly enjoy the greenhouses; they are nostalgic and cozy, and I love spending time there taking photos. They have a humid atmosphere and the pleasant smell of damp earth.

The sculpture Folia is inspired by the foliage of palm trees and the dry leaves that fall. I was drawn to the movement they create and wanted to capture that in a sculpture. We utilized various techniques to achieve this, including wood bending and tension, along with some beadwork.

This piece can grow or change according to the foliage we choose or the dimensions of the surface. It is now part of the Piegatto art collection and personally reminds us of the botanical gardens.

Kind regards,