In the painting "Heart of the Forest," a hyperrealistic scene unfolds where a young man lies in the woods in what appears to be a deep and peaceful sleep, surrounded by wood anemones. While the other works in the exhibition depict and celebrate women, "Heart of the Forest" sheds light on a male figure united with Mother Nature. By breaking with the traditional portrayal, where women are often depicted with flowers, passive and unaware of the viewer, Hällfors turns the perspective in this work. It adds a new dimension to the painting while creating a fascinating contrast to the rest of the exhibition, questioning what is masculine and feminine and exploring the modern world's relationship with nature.
In the man's hand, he holds a root shaped like a heart. The root symbolizes the union between humans and nature, conveying a sense of symbiosis and inner strength. The man not only emerges in harmony with nature but also embodies a sense of balance and understanding with his surroundings. It expresses a desire for balance in the world at large, between the masculine and feminine, as well as between our modern world and nature.