Friday 15th to Sunday 17th October 2010
Demonstrators
In my intuition I find myself
In myself I find freedom
In nature I find the rule
In the rule I find the wisdom
I started bonsai in late 1979 or early 1980. At that time I only worked according to my own imagination and taste rather than following the textbook styles. At that time I had not yet joined any bonsai club. It was not until about 1990 that I started to learn more about bonsai from books and local bonsai artists.
With this new exposure, the more I learned, the more doubts I had about the criteria that most considered necessary for making good bonsai. The textbook rules and stylistic considerations seemed to me to be overly dogmatic and rigid. I became disheartened as I noted a distinct difference between the art that I loved and the art as followed by the rest of the community. The two ideals were contradictory, in my estimation.
Because of this confusion and disillusionment I almost quit bonsai for a while. I began searching for the roots of the philosophical and conceptual fundamentals of the art. I delved deeply into the scientific and aesthetic ideals of artistry and bonsai to try and discover the basis for these dogmatic rules. During this time I chanced upon a wonderful opportunity to learn penjing with Hu Yun Hua in China. My study in China provided me significant enlightenment. Hu Yun Hua’s teaching method and philosophical approach helped to solidify my understanding of the science and aesthetics of my endeavor. This understanding perhaps came easier for me because I had long practiced painting and sculpture, and had a measure of knowledge of the visual arts.
Furthermore, I firmly believed bonsai was simply another form of visual art. With my frequent travels to China and my meeting with many Chinese bonsai masters came exposure to Chinese literature. Most of these texts had never been translated into foreign languages. Due to my exposure to these Chinese artists and writings, my perception and interpretation of bonsai changed. The funny thing is that the bonsai I am creating now are not too different from what I created in the past. The most significant difference is that, before, I worked intuitively without knowing why I did what I did. Now, however, I can refine my efforts with a clear understanding of the aesthetic and a contextual approach to the work.
In light of Chinese political and cultural history, it is no wonder that Japan formulated a more technically refined and quantified approach to this art. Even so, I find that the Japanese penchant for specific conventions of styling and form is, in fact, derived from the common fundamentals of visual artistry — the same ones used by most cultures and utilized for centuries. I believe there is nothing wrong with seemingly dogmatic and rigid rules being taught, because each rule is simply a useful convention with an important lesson behind it. Unfortunately, most bonsai enthusiasts simply swallow these rules without digesting the lessons. Consequently, many mistake a list of helpful conventions for an ironclad checklist of absolute rights and wrongs. This sort of mistake greatly decreases any chance they may have of creating artistry.
After delving deeply into the aesthetics and philosophy of Chinese penjing (the root of bonsai art) and with my practical experience with modern bonsai, I have formulated my own approach to the art. I believe that great benefit can be derived from applying some basic concepts from this approach to bonsai styling efforts. I have dedicated myself to the exploration and development of this art and I hope that others may learn from my journey.
Dianne Miller
Dianne discovered bonsai in 1980 which provided her with an outlet for her passion for trees and art. The formation of the Hamilton Bonsai Club in 1984, which Dianne quickly joined, was the start of a rewarding relationship; she is now the longest serving member. She has enjoyed working with its members to create a dynamic and forward thinking group of enthusiasts. It is her dream to keep Hamilton in the forefront of bonsai in New Zealand by continuing to help in the development of bonsai in this country.
Dianne has a preference for Chinese Penjing as she enjoys the freedom in their styles and feels that the voice of the tree is heard. This has taken her on two journeys to China from which the inspiration and visual memories will last her a life time. These journeys also confirmed her belief that artists need to look around their own environment for inspiration.
“Bonsai isn’t a battle between you and nature; it is working with nature to make the features of a tree more beautiful. After many frustrating attempts to express my own individual ideas I am now convinced that the best way to progress is to look outward into your environment and copy the trees and styles there, this being the true essence of bonsai. It is my belief that with the fast expansion of bonsai throughout the world many have forgotten to use their own culture and visual stimuli in their creations. Every country has their own natural style and it is up to us to discover this and express it within our bonsai.”
Dianne has, through Penjing Gardens, provided a learning environment and a place for artists to be inspired. She has held workshops and demonstrated through out the country on several occasions. Currently being the Editor of the NZBA Newsletter is an opportunity to reach more people by sharing knowledge and extending the talents of others. It is her hope to forward bonsai design and creativity in this country and promote New Zealand bonsai to the world.
Peter Mudie
Peter started collecting Bonsai in the UK in the early 90's joining the South Staffs Bonsai Club where he enjoyed the many workshops with, amongst others, Peter Adams, Dan Barton and Salvatore Liporace. His favourite trees are junipers.
Peter has served on the committees of South Staffs Bonsai Society, The Friends of the National Bonsai Collection and is the current President of Hamilton Bonsai Club. Peter has also been involved with setting up of several major shows in the UK.
He has created websites for South Staffs Bonsai Society (UK) and the Friends of the National Bonsai Collection (UK) and Hamilton Bonsai Club (NZ)
Having moved to New Zealand in early 2005 he has had to start again from scratch.
In 2009 Peter won the Emerging Talent comptition at the NZBA Convention in Christchurch.
Les Simpson
Les started Bonsai in the early Nineties. A keen tramper he has been inspired by what he has seen while wearing out boots in NZ’s back country.
He has attended overseas Bonsai Conventions in Bali, Hong Kong, Taiwan and many in Australia. Courses attended have included Dorothy Koreshoff, Linsay and Glenis Bebb (several of them being advanced courses.) Also 3 one week advanced courses with Joy Morton.
Another source of inspiration has been the Hamilton Bonsai Club of which Les is a member. One of the things this club has done over the last 5 years is to invite an Australian Tutor to attend an all weekend workshop once a year. Also the Clubs Annual Exhibition where not only do club members display their trees but also opportunities arise for club members to demonstrate to the general public.
Currently Les is a committee member of the NZBA and was club president for six years.
Louis Buckingham
Louis has been involved with horticulture from a very early age. His childhood was spent running around a commercial nursery operated by his horticulturist father. Time spent helping in the families nursery business provided a sound knowledge and interest in plants, including bonsai. Added to this knowledge base was a number of years spent working for a horticultural supply company as a production manager and later as a regional sales representative, giving Louis a sound knowledge of soil and fertilisers.
Louis started dabbling in bonsai when he was 16 on the family nursery. A while later he was fortunate to find formal tuition under Bob Langholm, a well known New Zealand Bonsai grower. After a number of years with Bob as his guide and mentor, and always an avid learner, over the past 17 years has developed his own style and furthered his depth and knowledge through many other sources and influences.
He has been in the positions of President and Vice President of the Auckland Bonsai Society on a number of occasions and also belongs to the Hamilton Bonsai Club and is a foundation member of the New Zealand Bonsai Association.
Louis has demonstrated at a number of New Zealand Conventions and is a regular demonstrator at the Auckland Bonsai Society and has also demonstrated/lectured at other New Zealand clubs. He has also demonstrated at public displays and events on a many occasions.
Sandra Quintal
