Demonstrators

Quingquan 'Brook' Zhao

Qingquan 'Brook' Zhao is an internationally acclaimed artist. Outside his native China, his work has been exhibited in France, Holland, Italy, Japan, and the U.S. A popular headliner at international conventions, he has conducted programmes in Australia, Canada, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Puerto Rico, United States, and Venezuela.

Born and raised in Yangzhou, China's ancient centre of learning and the arts situated at the confluence of the Grand Canal and the Yangtze River, Qingquan Zhao grew up in an environment where the penjing tradition was very much alive. At a young age, Zhao became intrigued by the miniature trees and landscapes in his father's and grandfather's collections. He is a third-generation bonsai and penjing artist.

Mr Zhao is a master of composition. He is particularly famous for his landscapes and forest arrangements. In the 1970's, he pioneered a new form of penjing where trees and stones are artistically grouped on white marble slabs to evoke, in the viewer's eyes, tranquil mountain scenes and waterscapes. This form, water-and-land penjing, has since become his signature work and has brought him worldwide fame. His work with single trees, too, is outstanding. He particularly excels at creating trees in the literati style.

Mr Zhao brings a gentle and highly sensitive approach to his art. During his demonstrations, audiences of all ages become enthralled as they watch him transform moments in time into timeless serenity and universal beauty by applying time-honoured principles of Chinese aesthetics and design

Joy Morton

Joy started bonsai in 1970 and taught bonsai for many years in the Gore and Otago area before moving to Dunedin in 1988. She opened “Joy’s Bonsai Studio” in 1988 running classes for beginners.

She started an advanced Bonsai School in 1998 which continues today with courses, workshops and demonstrations in Dunedin and throughout New Zealand. She is listed as a demonstrator for AABC and has experience in Japan, Scotland and England.

She has been active in the Otago Bonsai Society since its inception and has contributed extensively to activities of the Society and as an official and committee member for many years. She has been awarded Advanced Certificates from Dorothy Koreshoff and Bob Langholm and a Certificate of Distinction by NZBA in 2005.

Jan Letts

Jan had always been interested in bonsai but did not follow this up until she received a bonsai as a gift in 2001. She joined the Otago Bonsai Society to learn more about the art and started classes with Joy Morton.

She has completed three courses with Joy to advanced level and has attended the National Conventions from 2003 onwards. Her collection, mainly deciduous with some conifers, larches and cedars, has continually been extended through Society field trips and nursery stock.

She is a regular demonstrator for the Otago Bonsai Society and the current Secretary.

Jan was the winner of the 2010 NZBA Emerging Talent competition

Maureen Trevor

Maureen began her interest in Bonsai in the 1980's, and joined the Otago Bonsai Society in 1988. She has been an official and committee member for many years.

Maureen has attended workshops with Bob Langholm, Tony Bebb, Nobuyuki Kajiwara, and National Conferences in Dunedin, Timaru, Christchurch and Hamilton. Frequent workshops with Joy Morton have expanded her knowledge, and aided her confidence for demonstrations.

She is a regular demonstrator for the Otago Bonsai Society and is on the NZBA National Demonstrators list

Sean Heseltine

Sean has been creating bonsai for about 10 years and has built up a collection of about 40 trees. All are exotic with most collected as yamadori from Central Otago. He prefers spruce and larch but is starting to develop a few nice pines. Most of his trees are large, about 60-80cm high and with large trunk calipers. He has studied with Joy Morton and from many texts and internet videos.

Much of his learning has come from the trees themselves. His preferred style is root over rock but also has a passion for windswept trees.

He was a finalist for the 2009 Emerging Talent competition.