Bonsai Exhibition 2021 Canberra Bonsai Society

Have you ever wondered whether Australian plants make good bonsai? Well, bonsai artists think they do!

Bonsai artists around Australia have been using Australian plants to create wonderful examples of the art of bonsai for many years. You may have seen the fabulous examples currently on show at the National Bonsai and Penjing Collection of Australia at the National Arboretum Canberra.

Canberra Bonsai Society and the Australian National Botanic Gardens are pleased to present the 2021 Exhibition of Australian Plants as Bonsai, which will be held in the Crosbie Morrison Building, ANBG on 27-28 February 2021.

The art of miniature trees in pots or trays started in China around 1200 years ago (penjing) and was taken up in Japan around 900 years ago (bonsai). A bonsai or penjing tells a story of place, culture, and life’s journey. The story comes from the artist, then is left for the viewer to contemplate.

Australian trees as bonsai or penjing tell the story of an oriental tradition, interpreted in an Australian context.

The exhibition will be a display of over 30 bonsai, penjing, suiseki (viewing stones) and related items created by Canberra Bonsai Society members. These will include both examples of traditional forms and display compositions, and some that explore how the oriental traditions can be interpreted in Australian in 2021. This might be through tree design, container materials and design or display composition including stands and other items included in the display.

We invite you to visit the exhibition, see the range of possibilities and identify which appeal to you.

In addition to viewing the bonsai on display, visitors will be able to:
- Attend demonstrations at 2:00pm each day, showcasing the techniques used, and considerations needed, when training Australian plants as bonsai.
- Join guided walks through the Gardens, visiting full sized versions of species represented in the Exhibition. Tours depart from Crosbie Morrison Building at 11:00m daily. Groups will be restricted to 8 participants.
Vote for their favourite bonsai.

Important: this event will be conducted in accordance with ACT Government restrictions in place at the time, including social distancing. Individual activities or the whole event may be cancelled, if necessary, to comply with those restrictions. Please monitor the Canberra Bonsai Society website for any updates on this event.

Need more information?
Email: apab@cbs.org.au or
Phone: Jennifer 0418 618 470