Biography
I have had the opportunity to experience several art disciplines each offering a unique format to express my fascination with nature’s inherent beauty. I cannot say which is my favourite because each has an essence of its own and each complements the other.
Sogetsu Ikebana
Ikebana has always held a special interest and while living in Hong Kong; I pursed an opportunity to learn from a wonderful Sogetsu teacher, Mrs Betty Cheung. Upon my return to Sydney, I began to study under the direction of Seiseki Umemura. I am currently a Komon level teacher and working towards Riji level under the guidance of my sensei in Japan Koka Fukushima.
I served as the NSW Director of The Australian Sogetsu Teachers’ Association NSW Inc for two and half years where I encouraged the Association to move into the era of new technology via the Internet as a method drawing awareness to Sogetsu Ikebana. I continue to manage the NSW Sogetsu website for all to enjoy. Ikebana has provided me with the opportunity to exhibit at Open Gardens, city galleries, historic homes etc.
My experience as the fifth recipient of the Norman and Mary Sparnon scholarship studying for three months at the Sogetsu Kaikan, Tokyo Japan has spurred me on to great heights. I continue to strive to higher levels not only for myself but to share my knowledge with not only my students but viewers of my Website and Flickr platforms.
My students numbers continue to grow, now teaching two and a half days plus ZOOM lessons for out of Sydney students. I continue doing presentations to groups and clubs while exhibiting as often as I can in order to promote the art of Sogetsu
Ceramics
This discipline developed from both Object Design but mainly from the passion to create individual containers for Sogetsu ikebana. The journey took me in different directions, which even today holds a great interest.
Jewellery and Object Design
In 2006, I completed 3 years full time ‘Advanced Jewellery and Object Design’ at Enmore Design Centre. Many of my major works were influenced by the concepts and essence of Sogetsu Ikebana.
In early 2007 I held my first solo exhibition ‘Shadows’, all the works were inspired by the shadows created around living plants and flowers and the positive/negative elements of Sogetsu. In January of 2008, I was awarded a 1st place in an International Exhibition held in Adelaide and titled ‘Graduate Metal XI – Emerging Ideas in Jewellery and Objects’. My winning work was a set of hand forged and shaped sterling silver spoons. The work was originally inspired by an Ikebana concept of – Japanese Water Iris leaves blowing in the wind.
Sumi-e and sketching
The calmness and skill of Sumi-e certainly goes hand in hand with Sogetsu Ikebana. Unfortunately I do not paint as much as I would love to but become totally engrossed when in the zone. Sketching is a skill that every ikebana artist should practice, it is way of jotting down inspiring ideas to later recreate.
Painting and fibre art are also part of my repertoire when time allows.
Qualifications
| 2021 | Komon, Sogetsu Ikebana Teaching Certificate – Japan |
| 2017 | Jonin Sumo (top level of level two) Sogetsu Ikebana Teaching Certificate – Japan |
| 2010 | Ceramics Certificate IV – Sydney |
| 2006 | Advance Diploma Jewellery and Object Design – Sydney |
| 1995 | Diploma in Commercial Needlecraft |
Awards
| 2017 | Sogetsu 5th Facebook completion merit award |
| 2015 | Recipient of the 5th Norman and Mary Scholarship to study Sogetsu in Japan for 3 months |
| 2009 | Highly Recommended Merit, Ceramics- Sydney |
| 2008 | 1st Place Graduate Metal XI International, Adelaide |
Exhibitions
| 2022 | Camellia Reseach Society Sydeny |
| 2021 | Royal Botanic Garden Sydney |
| 2021 | Sogetsu NWS Virtual Exhibition |
| 2019 | Wa – Melbourne |
| 2019 | Sogetsu 100th Exhibition Tokyo |
| 2006/2019 | Royal Botanic Garden and Camellia Research Society, Sydney |
| 2016 | Buddhist Calligraphy Conference Sydney |
| 2016 | Royal Botanic Garden and Eryldene Historic House and Garden Sydney |
| 2016 | Camellia Research Society Royal Sydney |
| 2015 | The Sogetsu 50th Anniversary Exhibition New Delhi India |
| 2015 | Sogetsu Spring Exhibition Shinjuku, Tokyo Japan |
| 2014 | Sogetsu Ikebana – 96th Sogetsu Annual Exhibition, Tokyo, Japan |
| 2014 | Royal Botanic Garden, Eryldene Historic House and Garden, Sydney |
| 2013 | Sogetsu Ikebana- Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Eryldene Historic House and Garden |
| 2012 | Sogetsu Ikebana – Gymea Gallery, Eryldene Historic House and Garden, Camellia Research Society |
| 2012 | Silver Jewellery – Studio 2017 |
| 2011 | Ceramic installation – Rookwood Sculptural Walk |
| 2010–11 | Sogetsu Exhibitions – Sydney |
| 2008–10 | Ceramics – Hornsby |
| 2010 | Ikebana – Wesley Centre, Sogetsu Conference |
| 2009 | Ceramic and Ikebana –Buddhist Conference Sydney |
| 2008 | Sculptural Objects – Studio 2017 |
| 2008 | Silver objects – Adelaide – International Exhibition |
| 2007 | Sculptural Objects – Solo exhibition Castlecrag |
| 2004–06 | Jewellery and Objects, The Muse and Dank Street |
Publications
| 2015 | Poetic Ikebana, printed by Stichting Kunstboek, Belgium |
| 2014 | Whispering Flowers Ikebana, printed by Stichting Kunstboek, Belgium |