April brought us another new Monthly Ikebana Challenge and the theme was Seasonal Synergy
This month of April has zipped by in a blur of activity with workshops attended, classes taught and demonstrations performed! April saw the arrival of many entries to the challenge from both familiar friends and new acquaintances. The entries this time around have been truly exceptional in technical skill and creative expression. As always I am struck by the wonderful efforts from everyone in this Ikebana community. A very sincere and heartfelt thank you and congratulations to all those who participated by sending in their arrangements.
I was surprised at how emotional and moving the combination of ikebana and poetry was. Many entries touched my heart as words and arrangements echoed in my mind, each finding and creating their own special place in my memory. I feel I’ve gotten to know each of the entrants just a little bit better through this challenge, something about the combination of ikebana and poetry seems more revealing about the artist than arrangements alone. This month again we had entries from many places around the world which was (once again) outstanding! Though there is only one winner of the challenge everyone must be sincerely and profoundly congratulated on their efforts as the arrangements were all exceptional and every submission was very much appreciated.
A couple of small side notes: Firstly, if you decide to digitally edit your photo to correct the camera exposure or clean up a few unexpected specks that is completely acceptable HOWEVER if there is evidence of significant editing to the arrangement itself, or use of AI in the creation or alteration of the image, this will result in exclusion from the challenge (as a former senior graphic designer believe me when I say I know what I am looking at). Secondly, entrants are welcome to add their own name or branding into their images but please ensure they do not overlap the actual arrangement and that names/branding are not so large/colourful/bold or otherwise distracting that they detract from the arrangement. Where a name is not included in the image it will be added below in a simple and clear manner consistent with other entries.
Entrants (in alphabetical order by first name)
*note all entries have been placed on a background intended to best show the photograph and the creative writing in a pleasing, consistent and relatively neutral manner.
And the winner of the March Challenge is: Luca Ramacciotti
Congratulations to Luca Ramacciotti! This arrangement and accompanying creative writing both show a sophisticated and subtle layering of meaning as well as technical and creative virtuosity that was not only compelling but also captured the concept of "Ma" in the emptiness of the second container and the reference to students still holding their material yet to make their own arrangements. The words and arrangement have beauty and breathing room and this is what has driven my choice in this challenge. Congratulations and very well done to Luca Ramacciotti. Special commendations to all who submitted entries you are all extraordinarily talented and I look forward with great anticipation to your submissions each month.
Sincere thank you to all contributers
Please do keep your eye out for the challenge for May which will be announced with a call for entries shortly.