Ikebana Gallery Award 2026
First, we are very grateful to our wonderful judges who generously gave us their valuable input.
Thank you Ms Susan Renouf (Board Member at International Specialised Skills Institute, 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), Ms Lesley Kehoe (Lesley Kehoe Galleries) and Dr Osamu Inoue (Professor, Saga Art University, 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.
Before receiving the award, all the winners must obtain verification from a teacher. The teacher must confirm that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements and that the submitted work is entirely the student's own, completed without any external assistance. Please ask your teacher to send an email to ikebana.research@gmail.com (Re: Ikebana Gallery Award 2026).
Thank you Ms Susan Renouf (Board Member at International Specialised Skills Institute, 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), Ms Lesley Kehoe (Lesley Kehoe Galleries) and Dr Osamu Inoue (Professor, Saga Art University, 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 2026 Ikebana Galley Gold Award is Thuy Van Ngo (6) and the 2026 Ikebana Galley Silver Award is Thuy Van Ngo (5) and the Ikebana Gallery Bronze Award goes to Tiziana Melchiorri (4). 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: 6, 5, 1
Mr Smith: 5, 4, 6
Dr Kobayashi: 6, 3, 4
Ms Renouf: 6, 5, 1
Mr Smith: 5, 4, 6
Dr Kobayashi: 6, 3, 4
Ms Kehoe: 4, 5, 6
Ms Swen: 6, 1, 5
We allocated 3 points to the first choice, 2 to the second and 1 to the third. The results were 11 points for 6 (Gold Award), 8 points for 5 (Silver Award), 6 points for 4 (Bronze Award). Following are comments from our judges for each work.
We allocated 3 points to the first choice, 2 to the second and 1 to the third. The results were 11 points for 6 (Gold Award), 8 points for 5 (Silver Award), 6 points for 4 (Bronze Award). Following are comments from our judges for each work.
Mr Smith
1st - #5 Thuy Van Ngo.
This is a very unusual arrangement using clear water as the primary medium through which most of the selected plants are viewed. It is an extremely delicate composition that nonetheless powerfully evokes feelings of transience.
2nd - #4 Tiziana Melchiorri.
This is a simple but arresting composition achieved by the contrasts of tone, colour and form. Every form is carefully considered and dramatically presented, nothing is superfluous.
3rd - #6 Thuy Van Ngo.
An elegant use of thoughtfully selected and contrasting plant forms which, with the containing vessel, are organised into a cantilever arrangement that commands attention.
Ms Renouf
1st - # 6 Thuy Van Ngo.
This appears so simple, but is artistic and artful, using the red twine to form the fluid creation, and using the green plant to balance the structure, whilst the white vase anchors it all.
To me it is immediately sensitive and pleasing.
2nd - #5 Thuy Van Ngo.
I like the linking of the 2 glass vases, and the way it makes the most of the 3 flowers.
3rd - # 1 Ngoc Lan Nguyen.
A classic Ikebana structure with floating stems and branches , and highlighting a heart piece of red blooms, matched to the cylindrical vessel. It is very pleasing to the eye.
Ms Swen
I chose #6 as my first choice because the green flowers are arranged in a tall, white vase, while the vine-like horizontal lines extend and intersect, creating a balanced and beautiful space.
It was difficult to decide between second and third place, and ultimately, my personal preference was the deciding factor.
日本の皆様からのご投稿も歓迎いたします。詳細はこちら。
Finalists Details
1. Name: Ngoc Lan NguyenAddress: Ha Noi, Viet Nam
Ikebana school: Sogetsu Ikebana
Materials: Rose, baby breath, dry branches
Teacher: Thanh Hien Nguyen
2. Name: Ngoc Lan Nguyen
Address: Ha Noi, Viet Nam
Ikebana school: Sogetsu Ikebana
Materials: Dracaena fragrans, Cyperus alternifolius
Teacher: Thanh Hien Nguyen
3. Name: Nguyen Thi Hien Phuong
School: Sogetsu SchoolAddress: Hanoi, Vietnam
Teacher: Thanh Hien Nguyen
Materials: Lotus flowers, Lotus Leaves and Ceramic Vase
4. Name: Tiziana Melchiorri
Address: Roma - Italy
Ikebana school: Sogetsu school - 4 Ikebana curriculum-Ikkyu
List of material: Heliantus Annuus, Chrysanthemum L.
Brief comment: The composition expresses the concept of mass by assembling two kind of flowers
Teacher : Lucia Pierelli - Ikebanalab Scuola Sogetsu Roma
5. Name: Thuy Van Ngo
Address: Can Tho, Viet Nam
Ikebana school: Sogetsu Ikebana
Materials: Gerbera Lace
Teacher: Thanh Hien Nguyen
I tried to cut the stem of the flower and used the pressure of water to create curve lines in order to bring vibrancy to the arrangement.
6. Name: Thuy Van Ngo
Address: Can Tho, Viet Nam
Ikebana school: Sogetsu Ikebana
Materials: Ammi visgana, dried vines.
Teacher: Thanh Hien Nguyen
7. Name: Surawee Hanananthasuk (@kayandhana)
Address: Nonthaburi, Thailand
Ikebana school: Sogetsu Ikebana
Materials: Amarunthus, Anthurium and Chrysanthemums
Teacher: Kouyou Sawada
