Catherine Cavallo

"The tree is saying things, 
in words before words."

The title of this exhibition by Catherine Cavallo, comes from the bestselling literary novel THE OVERSTORY by Richard Powers, which was one of the main inspirations behind this body of works.

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Catherine started reading this book during the 2020 pandemic lockdown while she was completing another body of works for her 2020 exhibition. She was immediately carried away on its lyrical prose, focusing on the wonder of trees and the bringing together of various characters through their unique life experiences with flora. This was an instant inspiration for her next exhibition and the work on this series, encompassing trees, foliage and nudes started in early 2021.

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During this time, the artist experienced two episodes related to gardens and trees. The first one was of a sad heartbreak when she had the last chance to portray a cherished family garden before having to let it go. However, one door closes, and another (to another garden) opens… where she had the beautiful opportunity to start depicting trees in a friend’s garden and enhance further her motivation and inspiration.

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The halt from the exhausting and strenuous life, the return to nature and to the intimate moments, encapsulate the raison d'être and impetus of this exhibition.