Emily Karanikolopoulos is set to showcase her amazing Ikebana flower display at the 2009 Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (MIFGS) which begins this Wednesday.
Karanikolopoulos won first prize in both 2007and 2008 at the show’s Tesselaar Flower Shop Window Competition for her entries based on the ancient Japanese floral art of Ikebana.
“I started studying Ikebana 18 years ago- an art which began during the spread of Buddhism from China in the 6th century and has evolved since where it no longer retains its religious significance but is an art form practised throughout the world,” she said.
The artist, who has been holding Ikebana classes for the past five years at her school-the Sogetsu School of Ikebana, has taken part in countless exhibitions and demonstrations throughout the years.
“This year at the MIFGS I am producing a visual exhibit using branches of magnolia, with panels which will be wall-papered, and an accent of colour which will come from roses,” she said.
The MIFGS, which runs from Wednesday 1 until Sunday 5 April features some of the best landscape and floral talent Australia has to offer alongside an extensive array of garden retail products.
Staged within the Royal Exhibition Building and surrounding South Carlton Gardens this show is a must for garden art aficionados.