Sculptor Revives Rome’s Fallen Trees with Art
Andrea Gandini, a 22-year-old sculptor from Rome, has become well-known for his remarkable work transforming dead tree stumps into stunning sculptures. Starting his carving journey five years ago, Gandini was working on his 66th stump in Rome’s expansive Villa Pamphili park.
From Childhood Passion to Sculpting Street Stumps
Rome, one of the greenest cities in Europe, is home to around 313,000 trees. However, many of these trees, planted nearly a century ago, are now deteriorating. Seeing these neglected trees inspired Gandini to take action.
“I’ve been sculpting wood since I was a child in my garage,” Gandini explained. “One day, I decided to carve a tree stump on the street, and that’s how it all began.” He enjoys engaging with passersby, viewing his sculptures—ranging from faces to animals—as public art that belongs to everyone.
Carving Tree Stumps: Public Art for All to Enjoy
“It takes about a week to complete each sculpture,” he said, while working on his latest piece. “Once done, it becomes part of the public space.” The sculptures, mapped on his website, have even drawn attention from tourists, with some guides incorporating them into city tours.
“Tree stumps are often ignored, but they make perfect canvases for carving,” Gandini noted. “Rome has so many stumps waiting to be turned into something beautiful.”
Sculptures Becoming a New Tourist Attraction in Rome
Despite his growing popularity with residents and tourists, local officials have been less enthusiastic. While there’s no law prohibiting carving dead stumps, authorities are considering restrictions on his work in historic districts under new regulations designed to preserve public decorum.
Local Officials Concerned About Regulations and Restrictions
Gandini, a nature enthusiast, finds it distressing to watch neglected trees turn into hazards. Storms often cause them to collapse, damaging vehicles. City officials estimate that 86,000 trees need maintenance or removal.
Rome’s Tree Crisis: Gandini’s Warning for the Future
“If nothing changes,” Gandini warned, “in ten years, Rome could lose most of its trees.”
