LABASSA EXHIBITION

Hello all,

This is an extraordinary post of my blog. I'm writing it for two reasons - one, because I have oodles of time on my hands, stuck here in rehab and two, and more importantly, because I wanted to feature the works of my students.

A couple of weeks ago Ikebana International Melbourne Chapter had its annual exhibition at Labassa mansion in Caulfield. This is a richly decorated 19th century mansion, built in what's often called the 'Boom Style', when Melbourne was flush with wealth from the gold rush era. It is a heritage listed building, worth visiting for its own sake but even more so when there is an Ikebana exhibition.

I was not able to take part in the exhibition, myself but five of my students did. Lucy, also, presented a one hour demonstration. Photo above. Jenny is the II Melbourne president, which meant she was not only an exhibitor but, also, one of the organisers. Lei was the official photographer, who put in an inordinate amount of time, not only photographing all of the arrangements but, also, many hours in front of the computer, editing. Her job was made difficult by the dark and ornate backgrounds. I hope you will make allowances for that.

Following are Lucy's six demonstration pieces :

Variegated NZ flax, monstera deliciosa and mahonia leaves in ceramic container

Dutch iris and camellias in three, colourful, ceramic containers

Agave and anthurium in ceramic container

Golden elm branches and rhododendrons in ceramic vase 

Azalea, wisteria and Japanese flowering quince in
Japanese basket

Wisteria and arum lilies in a container hidden
inside large tree bark

Following are pictures of my students' exhibition pieces.

Cymbie Reeves - Tortured willow and calla lilies in ceramic container

Lucy Papas - dried agapanthus sprayed black and white and camelia in 2
ceramic containers

Lucy Papas - wooden sculpture with Spathiphyllum
(peace lily) in ceramic container

Lei Wang - split and coloured bamboo, woven vine,
gypsophila and cymbidium orchids.

Jenny Loo and Lei Wang - Coloured vine and Oriental lilies in two ceramic containers

Lei Sun (Wendy) - Umbrella grass stems and anthurium
in glass container

Lei Sun (Wendy) - dried branch, freesias and calla lilies in two, matching containers

Jenny Loo - corokia, arum lilies and aspidistra leaves in
ceramic container

Lucy Papas - small bathroom arrangement - stachyurus and camelias in
ceramic container

Bye for now,

Emily