HOME | BOOMERAMA | TRAVEL | EATS & DRINKS | THEATRE | MUSIC | ISSUES | HEALTH | NESTS & NEST EGGS | BOOKS | FASHION | ART & MUSEUMS

HOME > ART & MUSEUMS > ARCHIVES 2009 >

Master Tetsunori Kawana
Wave
© Master Tetsunori Kawana

POSTED: 07 MAY 2009

NGV's garden gets a Japanese touch for winter*

This winter, the Grollo Equiset Garden at Melbourne’s NGV International will be transformed with an extraordinary installation by internationally renowned artist Master Tetsunori Kawana, a practitioner of contemporary Japanese bamboo sculpture.

The installation, Five Elements – Water, is made from hundreds of seven-metre lengths of Madake bamboo which are split into thinner reeds for flexible construction.

For more than 30 years, Master Kawana has travelled worldwide by invitation to create breathtaking bamboo installations of a spectacular scale unseen in the related traditional practice of Ikebana.

Frances Lindsay, NGV Deputy Director, said: “Master Kawana’s creation will be unlike anything previously displayed before in the NGV’s garden. This unique sculpture of significant physical proportion and lyrical power will delight visitors of all ages.”

Volunteer support will be provided by Ikebana International Melbourne Chapter 29. This year the Melbourne Chapter of Ikebana International is celebrating its 50th anniversary. It was the first chapter established in the Southern Hemisphere and is today regarded as one of the leading chapters worldwide.

Master Tetsunori Kawana will be demonstrating the Japanese Ikebana of the Sogetsu School at 2pm on Saturday 16 May 2009 in the Great Hall at NGV International. Entry to this demonstration is free.

Five Elements – Water will be on display in the Grollo Equiset Garden at NGV International from 15 May to 26 July 2009.

*Based on media release issued by the The National Gallery of Victoria.