Melbourne Ikebana Festival, August 2028ikebanafestival.com
Longing for AutumnShoso Shimbo's Solo Exhibition, Distilling Nature, Monash University, February 2013
Christmas Installation for the City of Ballarat, 2013An official servay found that Shoso's magical tunnel was the most popular among the people in the city.
BouquetsShoso's floral works are a special addition to your wedding or other special events.
Bridal BouquetsShoso specialises in fully wired bridal bouquets.

Tuesday, 29 March 2016

Ikebana Today 45

By 16:32 ,

I have been arguing that the most important factor in contemporary art is meaning. The meaning is often produced through the contexts of the artwork. To show how artwork can create meaning, I use my own work created to celebrate the Archibald Prize Exhibition 2015 at the Art Galley of Ballarat. 

My original inspiration come from Self Portraits by Frida Kahlo (1907-1954). In her works Frida herself is in the midst of lush green foliage, flowers, birds and monkeys. It seems to me that the forest behind her represents an ideal state of spiritual freedom that is in contrast to her physically tormented reality. The role of nature in these works resonated for me as I am always interested in the relationship between humans and the natural world. 

I chose chicken wire to create a head, which in some ways resembles a cage. The chicken wire as well as the metal frame within creates a separation between the inner space and the unlimited freedom outside the work. In the back of my mind I also had some images of refugees who are sometimes kept in cage like circumstances, dreaming of the freedom that lies outside the cage. Although birds are usually kept inside a wire cage, you may see them enjoying themselves outside the cage in this work.  


After overcoming many obstacles in making this work, I was relieved to hear so much positive feedback. Following success in this project, I am fortunate to be commissioned to create another large work for the Lorne Sculpture in March 2016.

 http://www.shoso.com.au 
https://www.facebook.com/ikebanaaustralia

Wye River Project (2)

By 15:11




Work in progress: Week 3 (27 March 2016). Shoso will complete his works on 3 April 2016. Visit Wye River to see Shoso's works as part of the Lorne Sculpture Biennale 2016.
Artist Statement 

This work is a tribute to the families and communities ravaged by the bushfires that raged through Wye River on Christmas Day 2015.

This work is a reminder that we are powerless before the full force of nature, something often forgotten in our civilised world. The fragility of our relationship with the environment is another theme running through this work, but more than anything it is the triumph of the human spirit over adversity and the certainty that new homes will rise from the ashes that I wanted to express with this work.

One of the main design feature of the work, the spiral shape, symbolizes the natural living energy that runs through all creation. It is a visualization of universal life: rebirth, growth, and progress.

Although fresh foliage and floral materials are small portion in the overall design, they create strong contrast with the burnt material and convey a message of rebirth.

Bio 

Shoso Shimbo is a certified teacher of Ikebana. His floral work was selected for the prestigious publication, International Floral Art in 2014/2015 & 2016/2017, Stichting Kunstboek (Belgium). He has won multiple awards including the Gold Award at the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show.

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. His recent commissions includes a public work of art for the Archibald Award Exhibition 2015 at the Art Gallery of Ballarat.   

Shoso has an MA (Monash), a Master of Fine Art (Monash) and PhD in Education (RMIT). He is also qualified as a garden designer (Japan Horticultural Society). He is a directer of International Society of Ikebana Studies and the floral art director of Mondopiero, and he teaches Japanese Aesthetics at RMIT short courses. 

http://www.shoso.com.au 
https://www.facebook.com/ikebanaaustralia

Tuesday, 15 March 2016

Wye River Project (1)

By 22:12

"I have selected Shoso Shimbo to lead this project, creating sculptural forms over four weekends of the Biennale on the beach in Wye. Out of destruction will come beauty and new life. I encourage all to return to the area to see the project evolve through to completion on April 3rd. " 
Julie Collins, Curator, Lorne Sculpture Biennale. 

 When: 12 March to 3 April 2016 
Where: Wye River, Victoria, Australia

I walked through the damaged area, which has been restricted due to the risk of asbestos in the first week. Please visit my Facebook page for more images. https://www.facebook.com/ikebanaaustralia
It is a physically demanding project, but I hope my work will contribute to the healing process for the community.







http://www.shoso.com.au
https://www.facebook.com/ikebanaaustralia

Sunday, 28 February 2016

Daily Meditation

By 22:53

Daily Meditation: Shoso's Diary 
3 March 2016: Ikebana & Prosecco http://bit.ly/1JDMUmp, 
3 March 2016: Sanctuary exhibition Opening. Shoso's home garden will be featured. http://www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/…/Arts-a…/Gallery/Exhibitions  
4 March 2016: Popup tearoom with Yumi Umiumare http://fola.com.au/program/popup-tearoom-series/

 http://www.shoso.com.au 
https://www.facebook.com/ikebanaaustralia

Tuesday, 23 February 2016

Wednesday, 17 February 2016

Tuesday, 16 February 2016

Which Ikebana Course?

By 23:12


Shoso Shimbo teaches 2 types of Ikebana courses in 2016. Which course is the best for you?


1. Japanese Aesthetics: From Ikebana to Contemporary Art

This class is available for anyone (not just for RMIT students) and will take participants on a journey to explore the theory of Japanese aesthetics through practical exercises.

Ikebana is an entrance to learn various aspects of Japanese arts including gardening, architecture, painting, food presentation, our Tea ceremony, Kimono designs and varieties of our sculpture.

The course starts with a couple of Ikebana lessons to learn its basic principles. Then participants are introduced to various projects such as branch sculpture, wire sculpture, paper sculpture, collage and abstract drawings.

Each lesson consists of a video viewing on Japanese art & design, analytical discussion focusing on one significant Japanese artwork and a practical exercise/project.

This course is for those who have no experience in Ikebana as well as for advanced Ikebana students. In particular this course is useful for landscape designers, graphic designers, interior designers, fashion designers and sculptors.

Duration: 3 hours per session
When: Commencing on 27 April, 20 July & 12 October in 2016
Where: Carlton, RMIT University
Details: http://bit.ly/1IFmuyl
Students' works: http://www.shoso.com.au/2016/02/japanese-aesthetics.html 

2. Certified Ikebana Course: Make Ikebana part of your life

 This is for both a novice and those who intend to obtain teaching qualification in Ikebana. 
Please visit our Tuition page for details.

Duration: 1 hour and a half per session
When: 3 sessions per week (Pick one or more each week)
Where: Murrumbeena
Students' works: http://ikebanaaustralia.blogspot.com.au
https://www.facebook.com/IkebanaGallery/

3. Customised Ikebana Workshop

 We can organise an Ikebana workshop on your special occasion such as a hen’s party or special birthday.
Students' works: http://www.shoso.com.au/2015/08/ikebana-for-hens-party.html 
Details: http://www.shoso.com.au/p/workshop.html

http://www.shoso.com.au
https://www.facebook.com/ikebanaaustralia

Japanese Aesthetics

By 23:11



Japanese Aesthetics: From Ikebana to Contemporary Art

This class is available for anyone (not just for RMIT students) and will take participants on a journey to explore the theory of Japanese aesthetics through practical exercises.
Ikebana is an entrance to learn various aspects of Japanese arts including gardening, architecture, painting, food presentation, tea ceremony, the wearing of the Kimono and varieties of our sculpture.


The course starts with a couple of Ikebana lessons to learn its basic principles. Then participants are introduced to various projects such as branch sculpture, wire sculpture, paper sculpture, collage and abstract drawings.


Each lesson consists of a video viewing on Japanese art & design, analytical discussion focusing on one significant Japanese artwork and a practical exercise.

This course is for those who have no experience in Ikebana as well as for advanced Ikebana students. In particular this course is useful for landscape designers, graphic designers, interior designers, and sculptors.

Duration: 3 hours per session
When: 27 April, 20 July & 12 October in 2016
Where: Carlton, RMIT University
Details: http://bit.ly/1IFmuyl

http://www.shoso.com.au
https://www.facebook.com/ikebanaaustralia

Ikebana and Prosecco

By 23:05

Ikebana and Prosecco: Essence of Ikebana

Learn the essence of Ikebana in 3 workshops. On arrival enjoy a glass of Prosecco. Bring nothing and leave with flower arrangements worth over $150.

This course is ideal for those who have no Ikebana experience and would like to learn its essence quickly in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The course consists of 3 workshops: Introduction to Ikebana (Level 1), Harmony in Ikebana (Level 2) and Contrast in Ikebana (Level 3).
Participants can choose any workshop. They can also attend a workshop in any order or one level multiple times.


Participants will learn that many Ikebana principles are applicable to many other fields in art and design.
Duration: 2 hours per session
When:11 February (Level 1), 3 March (Level 2), 14 April (Level 3), 2016
We will have a workshop monthly. Level 1 in May and June, Level 2 in July and Level 3 in August. Details will be announced shortly.Where: Mondopiero, 28 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
Details: http://bit.ly/1JDMUmp

http://www.shoso.com.au
https://www.facebook.com/ikebanaaustralia

Wednesday, 10 February 2016

Ikebana Today 44

By 17:48 ,

I have been writing about contemporary art, particularly about how important it is to have meaning, which depends on the context of the work. The question now is what is context? Takashi Murakami wrote an excellent book on the subject, “Geijutsu Tosoron”. Terry Barrett, in his book Making Art (2011), says that intrinsic context mainly refers to “the juxtaposition of parts within the whole and the meanings they evoke through proximity to one another”(p.16). Extrinsic context includes the life history of the artist, “the time and place in which the work is made” (p.17), and the art history.

I will try to follow the way that Murakami explained the concept of context in his book. Although I’m aware that this is not the best sample, I will talk about the sculpture I made to promote the Archibald exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ballarat in 2015.

This was a great challenge for me, particularly because the request was to make a human head. I have never made a human head before. Ikebana is mainly about abstract forms. Even Kiku Ningyo do not try to make human heads with flowers. When I made a test work, I was disappointed to realised that I could not do this. However, then I though, why shouldn’t I enjoy this rare opportunity without worrying about what other people think about my work? I decided to use a different strategy. When I attached some irregular massed wire balls, the face started to look alive. I thought this might work.

What was the context of this work? I’ll follow this up in the next issue.

http://www.shoso.com.au
https://www.facebook.com/ikebanaaustralia

Thursday, 4 February 2016

Sunday, 31 January 2016

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