GALLERY: A beautiful bonsai exhibition
EMMARENTIA – Shibui Bonsai Kai exhibition enthralls residents at Johannesburg Botanic Gardens.
Shibui Bonsai Kai held its exhibition at Johannesburg Botanic Garden on 17–18 October.
The organisation has been running since 1981 and deals with the art of growing bonsai trees. The organisation hosts smaller exhibitions in Emmarentia on every third Saturday of the month, but its main exhibition is in the gardens, in Emmarentia, once per year, in October.
Here one can see that the trees were planted at least 34 years ago and still maintain their miniature frame.
The organisation stresses the importance that the trees should not be judged on its age, but rather how old they appear to be.
The organisation aims to encourage the community to take part in maintaining bonsai trees.
It currently has 350 trees and some are still planted in the earth.
Trevor Botham, who has been a part of Shibui for the past 10 years and as of the last five years has been running the organisation.
His knowledge over the years on the art has made his love for the beautiful trees insatiable.
“These trees are living art to me,” said Botham.
“Working here is never stagnant, something is always developing and changing.”
One of Shibui Bonsai Kai’s members, Derry Ralph, got awarded an Order of the Rising Sun, with gold and silver rays.
This was awarded to him by the Emperor of Japan and was presented to him by the Japanese Ambassador to South Africa in June 2013 for his work in furthering an interest in bonsai trees.
The group holds lectures, demonstrations, critiques and workshops on the art of Bonsai. It also has a bonsai for beginners course.
Details: Shibui Bonsai Kai bonsaikebana@mweb.co.za or 082 784 7581; Johannesburg Botanical Garden info@gauteng.net or
011 085 2500.
