7 Sep 2024 – 8 Sep 2024
Bishops Parlour
Community & Linen Rooms
Mural Hall
Oratory
Salon
Ikebana Exhibition & Ikebana Container Award Exhibition: Free
Hiroe Swen Exhibition: Free
Artist Talk: Free
Ikebana Demonstration: $10
Ikebana Workshops: $35-$45
Hana-Awase – Ikebana with Mozart: $30
7 Sep 2024 – 8 Sep 2024
Bishops Parlour
Community & Linen Rooms
Mural Hall
Oratory
Salon
Ikebana Exhibition & Ikebana Container Award Exhibition: Free
Hiroe Swen Exhibition: Free
Artist Talk: Free
Ikebana Demonstration: $10
Ikebana Workshops: $35-$45
Hana-Awase – Ikebana with Mozart: $30
Wa Ikebana Festival welcome 20 esteemed ikebana artists from Japan, led by Oshun Tsukagoshi, the Iemoto of Ikebana Shofu, and their dedicated team. This presents a truly exceptional opportunity to immerse yourself in the exquisite artistry of ikebana at its finest.
Wa Ikebana festival offers a combination of free exhibitions, ticketed events, and an international conference. Also including an online exhibition, Hanadayori, which welcomes requests from people worldwide. International ikebana masters and practitioners, including artists from Ukraine and the winners of Ikebana Gallery Award, will create works in response to the requests. These works will be published online and in a photobook to mark the beginning of the Wa Melbourne Ikebana Festival.
FREE Admission
Online Talks – Register here now.
Demonstrations – Book your slot here.
Performances – Book your slot here.
Workshops – Book your slot here.
The Wa Melbourne Ikebana Festival is also pleased to launch the Ikebana Container Award, presenting an opportunity for ceramic artists to create artworks to inspire ikebana artists. Judged by internationally renowned ceramic artist, Hiroe Swen, the prize is worth $1,000.
Oshun Tsukagoshi
Oshun is the headmaster of Ikebana Shofu, a distinguished school renowned for its innovative approach to ikebana. Having immersed himself in the art from a young age under the guidance of the former headmaster, Oshun’s journey led him to further refine his skills at a prestigious flower school in England after graduating from college. His distinctive style seamlessly blends traditional Japanese aesthetics with Western influences.
In 2013, Oshun achieved acclaim by winning the prestigious Hanaike Battle Championship, marking a significant milestone in his career. He has since showcased his mastery through captivating flower performances across diverse global stages including Hong Kong, China, France, and Holland, captivating audiences with his unique interpretations of ikebana.
Hiroe Swen
Ceramic artist and former Lecturer in Ceramics at the Australian National University Institute of the Arts. Hiroe is one of the most celebrated Australian ceramic artists. Born in 1934 in Kyoto, Japan, Hiroe navigated a vibrant Kyoto art scene before moving to Australia with her husband in 1968. Her ceramics are hand-built, and her glazes are original. Over 60 years, her art has evolved through life challenges.
Recognitions include an Order of Australia Medal (2023) and an Order of the Rising Sun (2016). Her impact extends globally, with 120+ works in public institutions. In 2023, a digital archive, ‘The World of Hiroe Swen’s Ceramic Art,’ was launched. Hiroe has been a judge for the Hiroe Swen Ikebana Container Award and the Ikebana Gallery Award, the first online ikebana competition for all ikebana students.
Shoso Shimbo
Melbourne based ikebana artist and sculptor, Shoso Shimbo PhD is a certified Ikebana teacher with over 30 years of experience. He studied under the late Sogetsu Head Master, Hiroshi Teshigahara. Shoso was selected by Belle Magazine as one of six “Australia’s top floral designers” and has won multiple awards including the Gold Award at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show. Shoso’s work was selected for International Floral Art 2014/2015, 2016/2017 & 2021/2022 Stichting Kunstboek (Belgium). His sculptural works have been featured in some of the major contemporary art exhibitions including the Toyota Sculpture Exhibition, Lorne Sculpture, Deakin University Contemporary Small Sculpture Award Finalists Exhibition, and the New Wave Art Festival at the NGV.
Shimbo is also qualified as a garden designer (Japan Horticultural Society) and works as a designer for Tsubo Zen Gardens. He is the founding director of Ikebana Gallery Award, first online ikebana competition, and Wa: Melbourne Ikebana Festival, in which he presented an ikebana performance with the Grigoryan Brothers in 2019 and another performance with Paul Grabowsky at Melbourne Recital Centre in 2022.
