ANNUAL EXHIBITION

This year our annual exhibition was held in the lobby of the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins. This is a very large space which, in addition to having the front desk of the hotel, also functions as gallery for a variety of different types of contemporary art practice. The lobby has very large windows that look into a glass-roofed internal atrium over six stories high. The three large works set on the wide window ledges on the left of this photo were created by teams of ikebanists. 

                    

This photo is taken from the opposite side of the atrium and shows the three windows that were used for the three large works. These ikebana installations were visible from the cafes which are at a lower level on the floor of the atrium.

This work by members of the Ohara school was created by Aiko Nakada and Kid-Ching Ong. It featured bamboo, pine and 'moth' orchids.

Kaye Wong and Naomi Cullen from the Ichiyo school used large baskets and bamboo poles as principle design elements of their installation.

Christopher James and Kyoko Imai from the Sogetsu school created a large-scale work in a Shigaraki pot with driftwood, gymea leaves, chrysanthemum and painted agapanthus stems.

Most of the ikebana by individual members of the branch are shown below. Unfortunately some could not be photographed because of the lack of a backcloth.

Julie Ayers, Ikenobo school.

Chiemi Daly, Shogetsudokoryu school.

Felicia Huang, Ohara school.

Robyn Unglik, Sogetsu school.

 Kim Ng, Ohara school.

Emily Karanikolopoulos, Sogetsu school.

Judy Hajdu, Ohara school.

Trish Ward, Sogetsu school.

Chieko Yazaki, Shogetsudokoryu school.

Margaret Wilson, Sogetsu school.

Elizabeth Angell, Sogetsu school.

Elishia Zhang, Ichiyo school.

Helen Novic, Sogetsu school.

Stella Gan, Ichiyo school.

Lyn Wong, Ohara school.

Nobuko Kobayashi, Ichiyo school.

Toula Karanikolopoulos, Sogetsu school.

Qui Nguyen, Ikenobo school.

Lee Johnstone, Sogetsu school.

Yoshi Arai, Shogetsudokoryu school.

Lisa Yazaki, Shogetsudokoryu school.

Olive Cheng, Ohara school.

Ivy Loo, Ohara school.

Kim Louey, Ichiyo school.

Betty Karanikolopoulos, Sogetsu school.

Kayoko Hayashi, Ohara school.

Katrina Cunningham, Ichiyo school.

Lorraine Langley, Ikenobo school.

Kid-Ching Ong, Ohara school.

HIROSHIMA PEACE DAY

The Melbourne Chapter of Ikebana International was asked again this year to provide two large works for the Hiroshima Peace Day Service at St Paul's Cathedral in Melbourne. The service was held on Sunday 6th August and attended by our patrons, Mr Matsunaga, the Consul-General of Japan, and his wife.

The ikebana above was created by Lara Telford and her students, Trish Ward and Beverley Webster. It stood in front of the pulpit. 

From this angle it is easier to see the origami cranes hanging from then branches. 

Origami cranes have a close association with memorialisation at Hiroshima. Many being made by school children every year and sent to the Children's Memorial at the Hiroshima Peace Park.

   
The second large arrangement was created by Chieko Yazaki and stood in front of the lectern.

Both of the ikebana arrangements stayed in place for the week following the memorial service.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

On Tuesday 8th August the AGM was attended by 32 members, and our patron Yoko Matsunaga. Trish Ward was elected as the new President. The members thanked the retiring President, Chieko Yazaki for her two years of service and welcomed a new committee member, Margaret Wilson. Chieko has remained on the committee in the Japanese Liaison role.  

Here is your introduction to the new committee. Left to Right:

ChristopherJames, Chieko Yazaki, Sally Wilkinson, Rosemary Hordern, Trish Ward (President), Marjorie Campkin-Smith, Margaret Wilson.

Following the AGM a demonstration was given by four heads of schools and one representative.

       

Chieko Yazaki is the head of Shogetsudokoryu School.

Christopher James is the head of the Sogetsu School.

Yukako Braun is the head of the Ikenobo School.

Elishia Zhang represented the Ichiyo School.

Aiko Nakada is the head of the Ohara School.

Below are the arrangements created, within a ten minute time frame. Some preparation was required.

     

       

       

       

In addition to the arrangements above, some members had also set up ikebana arrangements to celebrate the AGM.

Lara Telford.

Felicia Huang

Pat Hetrel

Emily Karanikolopoulos

Toula Karanikolopoulos

Betty Karanikolopoulos

Margaret Wilson

Lee Johnstone

Beverly Webster

Trish Ward