Ikebana Gallery Award
First, we are very grateful to our wonderful judges who generously gave us their valuable input.
Thank you Ms Susan Renouf (Former Adjunct Professor, Fashion & Textiles, RMIT University), Dr Yoshiho Kobayashi (Visiting Researcher at Ritsumeikan University, 立命館大学客員研究員; Senior Adviser, International Society of Ikebana Studies), Ms Hiroe Swen (Ceramic Artist, Former Lecturer, Australia National University), Mr Ken Smith ( Artist, Former Lecture, the Faculty of Art and Design at Monash University and Dr Osamu Inoue (Professor, Saga Art College, 嵯峨美術大学教授; President, International Society of Ikebana Research)
Their contribution made this international award, the world's first online Ikebana competition truly unique. It is so rare for Ikebana students to be assessed and to receive comments from art specialists like our judges. Please visit the “Judges” page for their profiles.
Our judges were asked to choose three works out of the seven finalists in the order of their preference and the results were as follows:
Ms Renouf: D, B, C
Mr. Smith: G, E, D
Dr Kobayashi: A, C, D
Ms Swen: F, C, E
Dr Inoue: B, D, E
We allocated 3 points to the first choice, 2 to the second and 1 to the third. The results were 7 points for D (Gold Award), 5 points for B & C (Silver Award), 4 points for E (Bronze Award). Following are comments from our judges for each work.
Ms Renouf: I love the Blue receptacle and the contrasting green foliage.
I find it very elegant and well proportioned, and with regard to Ikebana principles.
My arrangement, with brass vase designed also by myself. Arrangement does not include use of Kenzan. My teacher is Shoso Sensei. Fei from Melbourne, Australia.
Ms Renouf: I like the interesting stand for the arrangement, and the featured lilies.
Thank you Ms Susan Renouf (Former Adjunct Professor, Fashion & Textiles, RMIT University), Dr Yoshiho Kobayashi (Visiting Researcher at Ritsumeikan University, 立命館大学客員研究員; Senior Adviser, International Society of Ikebana Studies), Ms Hiroe Swen (Ceramic Artist, Former Lecturer, Australia National University), Mr Ken Smith ( Artist, Former Lecture, the Faculty of Art and Design at Monash University and Dr Osamu Inoue (Professor, Saga Art College, 嵯峨美術大学教授; President, International Society of Ikebana Research)
Their contribution made this international award, the world's first online Ikebana competition truly unique. It is so rare for Ikebana students to be assessed and to receive comments from art specialists like our judges. Please visit the “Judges” page for their profiles.
We are pleased to announce that the winners of the 2024 Ikebana Galley Gold Award is Violet Lee (D) and the 2023 Ikebana Galley Silver Award are Fei Li (B) and Yuna Nakamura (C), and the Ikebana Gallery Bronze Award goes to Ivan Nosko (E). Those students will receive a certificate (digital file) from Ikebana Gallery.
Our judges were asked to choose three works out of the seven finalists in the order of their preference and the results were as follows:
Ms Renouf: D, B, C
Mr. Smith: G, E, D
Dr Kobayashi: A, C, D
Ms Swen: F, C, E
Dr Inoue: B, D, E
We allocated 3 points to the first choice, 2 to the second and 1 to the third. The results were 7 points for D (Gold Award), 5 points for B & C (Silver Award), 4 points for E (Bronze Award). Following are comments from our judges for each work.
Name: Violet Lee
Address: Hong Kong
School: Sogetsu
Materials: Asparagus, Aucuba Japonica, Gomphocarpus Froticusos
Title: 50 Shades of Green
Ms Renouf: I love the Blue receptacle and the contrasting green foliage.
I find it very elegant and well proportioned, and with regard to Ikebana principles.
Mr Smith: This arrangement uses the dramatic contrast of strong colour and an elevated focal point to heighten awareness of the transience of living forms. All here are suspended in the fulness of their potential but will, at some future stage decline, subside and lose their vigour and vitality.
My arrangement, with brass vase designed also by myself. Arrangement does not include use of Kenzan. My teacher is Shoso Sensei. Fei from Melbourne, Australia.
Name: Yuna Nakamura
Address: Tokyo, Japan
Address: Tokyo, Japan
School: Ohara-ryu
Materials: Allium, Hydrangea, Asparagus fern, copper
Ms Swen: アジサイの白と緑が３つのガラスの容器に活けられて爽やか。板を３枚より１枚の大きなものにすることを試みるのもどうでしょうか？The white and green hydrangeas arranged in three glass containers look refreshing. How about trying to use one large board instead of three smaller ones?
Ms Renouf: The flowers are beautiful, and the relationship between the 3 individual arrangements is charming.
Name: Ivan Nosko
Address: Ukraine / Kyiv
Materials: Campanula, field grass, Iris leaves
Title: Early summer
Mr Smith: This arrangement has a strong and clear vertical line and arrangement that is balanced by smaller diagonal directions in the leaf forms of the main plants. All these visual directions lead to the focal point of the white flowers. The subtle contrast between these and the darker leaf forms and supporting container intensify the calm resolution of the totality.
Name, gayatri bajaj
Country, India.
School, sogetsu
Teacher, Urana Kuular
Name : Joy Zhang
Ms Swen: 軽快なリズムと若い命の喜びを感じさせる。すがすがしい。It evokes a lively rhythm and the joy of youthful life. It's refreshing.
Please enjoy these arrangements from Ohara school of Ikebana. Comments and suggestions are welcome. Thank you.
Title—“Bloom-ing”
Name : Linh Nguyen
School : Sogetsu
Teacher : Shoso Shimbo
Congratulations to the winners. To request your certificate, please send an email to ikebana.gallery@gmail.com by 30 September 2024. Thank you.
We are looking forward to receiving more images of your works for the Ikebana Gallery Award 2025. Our next entry period is from 24 to 30 June 2025.
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