In 'Look at the Forest Rather Than the Book', Ai Haibara invites us into a moment of introspection—a boy perched atop a stack of books, his pose contemplative and withdrawn, yet gently alert. The familiar symbol of knowledge—the books—are described with a delicate realism, grounding the work in the world of human learning. Yet Haibara subtly shifts our attention: a small green sprout emerges from the top volume, a poignant reminder of the living world beyond written words.

The figure’s downward gaze and hand resting on his cheek suggest a pause or hesitation as he chooses not the rejection of knowledge but redirection. Haibara’s choice of title encourages viewers to look beyond intellectual structures and reconnect with nature’s wisdom. True to her signature style, the work draws on spiritual ecology, using the plant as a gentle, almost imperceptible guide toward environmental awareness. Haibara asks us to reflect on how we learn and whether we are really listening to the quieter voices-the ones growing beside us all along.