Creative Wales Award, Japan 2015

In January 2015 I received a Creative Wales Award from the Arts Council of Wales to take ‘time out’ for a period of twelve months for research and to further my career in the field of ceramics.

As part of the award, I went to Japan to receive Ikebana lessons, the Japanese art of flower arranging, at the Ichiyo School in Tokyo. Ikebana is one of the traditional arts of Japan and has been practiced for over 600 years. Its origins stem from Buddhism; the flower arrangements were seen as an offering in honour of Buddha. Ikebana translates as ‘Living Flowers’, it is primarily about the selection, arrangement of plants and flowers depending on their colour, structure, shape, line and form. The Japanese have a great respect and love for nature.

During the lessons, I made a slanting and upright display under the guidance and tuition of the headmistress of the school through an interpreter. The experience taught me the importance of selection, composition and how attention to detail is paramount.

I travelled throughout Tokyo and Kyoto for three weeks, observing several Ikebana, craft, fine art and design exhibitions and also visiting museums, temples, gardens and national parks. The trip provided me with extensive source material and a memorable experience that will inform my practice for a very long time.