Antonella Fonzi's Trees as Portals to Personal Journeys in Andorra Exhibition

Antonella Fonzi, a designer who once led a communications agency, has shifted her focus to fine art, where trees serve as portals to personal journeys. Her latest exhibition, *Alberi da Viaggo*, is on display at L’Institucional in Andorra until 31 January.

Fonzi explains that each tree in her paintings embodies a voyage. "When you look at them, you can travel in spirit," she says. The works invite an exchange between artist and viewer, blending their sensations and personalities. Viewers complete the pieces with their own emotions, leaving a lasting sense of wellbeing.

Her trees burst with symbolism. One branches with clocks, representing time and prompting reflection through its flowing forms. Another features smiling leaves—mouths that highlight how gazing at a tree can soothe the mind. A massive door embedded in a trunk, titled *El viatge està al cap* (The journey is in the mind), sparks curiosity about what lies beyond, with each observer imagining their own unique scene.

Most works use stark black ink on white, where the medium's depth catches light and reveals the artist's hand gestures. Inspiration draws from personal experiences that have moved her, alongside nature's endless variety. "I discover trees I haven't yet invented," she notes, emphasising its vast, changeable scale.

Fonzi's global path—from Rome and Monaco to India and Brazil—has shaped her vision, but art has always been a constant. She credits her grandfather, Nonno Antonio, for igniting her imagination as a child. He shared stories, taught her to observe the sea and nature, and showed how narratives intertwine.

Though her style is not realistic—a tree of smiles does not exist in the physical world—it captures emotional truth. "When you look at a tree with joy, in your mind, the leaves can turn into smiles," she says. The exhibition has toured across Europe, now inviting Andorran visitors to explore these introspective journeys.