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‘An Area of Land 
Dominated by Trees’





In ‘An Area of Land Dominated by Trees’, Franca draws inspiration from the opening sentence of Wikipedia’s description of a ‘Forest.’ Through this exploration, she examines diverse realities and forms of intelligence that extend beyond humanity, encompassing contemporary technology and the natural world in a more-than-human context.

Trees are social beings capable of complex communication, challenging the notion that intelligence is limited to humans. This prompts a re-evaluation of our relationship with nature and contemporary technologies, broadening humanity’s understanding of intelligence. Western society’s emphasis on individualism overlooks the importance of community, collaboration, and recognizing our interdependence. Emphasizing collaboration, fostering community, and understanding our interconnectedness is crucial for our survival.

Within ‘An Area of Land Dominated by Trees’, Franca combines figuration with abstraction. Combining images captured with her iPhone alongside collage, painting and drawing. Creating a balance between encountering different places and temporalities, visualizing the emotions she associates with them.










Installation view: ‘An Area of Land Dominated by Trees’, Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten, Amsterdam.

Image credits: photographs by Sander van Wettum, 2023










Installation view: Circulate - Proposals for the Museum Collection, Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam.

Image credits: photographs by Peter Tijhuis, 2024








An Area of Semi-natural Space
Inkjet, oil pastel, oil stick, china marker, graphite on canvas
170 x 460 cm
2023

Image credits: photo by Sander van Wettum, 2023


Close Up - An Area of Semi-natural Space










‘Fluttering Leaves Make the Wind Blow’ 2 & 1
Oil pastel on giclée
112 x 148 cm
2023

Installation view: ‘An Area of Land Dominated by Trees’, Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten, Amsterdam.

Image credits: photo by Sander van Wettum, 2023









Close Up - ‘Fluttering Leaves Make the Wind Blow’ 1








Close Up - ‘Fluttering Leaves Make the Wind Blow’ 2







Installation view: ‘Mixed Feelings’, Upstream Gallery, Amsterdam

Image courtesy of Upstream Gallery, Amsterdam

Image credits: photo by Gert Jan van Rooij, 2023








‘Fluttering Leaves Make the Wind Blow’ 3 & 4
Oil pastel on giclée
112 x 147,2 cm
2024







‘A Passage of Sound and Air’ (1-10)
Collage, oil pastel, graphite, china marker on paper
21 x 14.5 cm
2023








Close Up - ‘A Passage of Sound and Air’ (1 & 5)










‘My Grandmother’s House As a Place of Shelter’
Inkjet, oil pastel, oil stick, graphite, china marker on canvas
130 x 300 cm
2023

Image credits: photo by Sander van Wettum, 2023








Close Up - ‘My Grandmother’s House As a Place of Shelter’







Installation view: Search for Tomorrow, Bernheim Gallery, London.

Image credits: Eva Herzog, Aggie Cherrie, and Bernheim Gallery, 2025






‘A Small Body of Still Water 1’
Oil pastel on giclee
112 x 148 cm
2023

Installation view: ‘An Area of Land Dominated by Trees’, Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten, Amsterdam.

Image credits: photo by Sander van Wettum, 2023








Close Up - ‘A Small Body of Still Water’









‘A Small Body of Still Water 2’
Oil pastel on giclee
112 x 148 cm
2024








‘A Passage of Sound and Air’ (11-18)
Collage, oil pastel, graphite, china marker on paper
21 x 14.5 cm
2023







Close Up - ‘A Passage of Sound and Air’ (11 & 12)








The Multiplicity of Life 1 & 2
Oil pastel on giclee
112 x 148 cm
2024




A Small Enclosed Area of Land 1
Oil pastel on giclee print
146.2 x 112 cm
2024

















Installation view: Acts of Transience, Night Café, London

Image courtesy of Night Café, London

Image credits: photo by Wenxuan Wang / Vinx, 2024


Read the essay ‘Acts of Transience’ written by Maribelle Bierens for the exhibition.