Neyda De La Peña
OriginalShe Became the Tree, 2017Oil and metal on wood23 "length × 27" height$ 820 USD
"She Became the Tree" is a meditation on the silent transformation that occurs when a person becomes deeply rooted in their own spirit. Within the trunk, the subtle silhouette of a woman emerges, not standing beside nature, but merging with it. Her form dissolves into branches that spread with confidence, while hundreds of individually carved aluminum leaves shimmer like memories illuminated by the changing light.
The weathered wood bears the marks of time, preserving the history of the structure it once supported. Rather than concealing these imperfections, artist Neyda De La Peña embraces them as part of the narrative, allowing each knot, crack, and grain to become a chapter in the sculpture's story. The polished aluminum leaves introduce movement and reflection, transforming the work throughout the day as natural light dances across its surface.
"She Became the Tree" speaks of resilience, feminine strength, renewal, and the profound connection between humanity and the natural world. It suggests that true growth lies not in resisting life's seasons, but in embracing them until our roots become inseparable from the earth that sustains us.
This original hand-carved wooden relief is part of Neyda De La Peña's ongoing exploration of tree symbolism in contemporary art, where recycled materials, organic forms, and sculptural carvings converge to create timeless works that celebrate transformation, identity, and the enduring beauty of nature.
