An Exhibition of Bonsai by the Sri Lanka Bonsai Association

By M.A. Pemasiri

Bonsai is the art of creating a miniature replica of a mature tree (or group of trees) found in the nature, by changing the appearance of a normal plant material to that of a mature tree.

We are surrounded by various forms of beautiful trees, and most of us simply enjoy their beauty, without thinking much about the features which make them beautiful. For a Bonsai enthusiast, these beautiful trees form the basis for inspiration. If you are to succeed in Bonsai, you should keep gazing at the trees, studying them, analyzing their structure, so that you will be able to reproduce realistic images of the trees in miniature.

A careful analyzing of a tree leads one to understand its life story and the conditions under which it grew over the years. As an example, mountain trees grow in thin poor soil, and are exposed to strong winds. Their life is a constant battle for survival under harsh realities of the nature. However, such battle will give them, their unique character, with very special attractive features.

A bonsai artist will also have to learn the process of a young plant turning to an old tree, shedding many branches, leaving the essential stronger ones, strong surface roots becoming a part of the picture, giving stability and a mature look.

When the artistic forms of Bonsai trees are displayed at the Exhibitions, many enthusiastic viewers get a desire to try out creating a Bonsai. A beginner, could be little nervous of some of the techniques used, but in no time, one can gain confidence as one sees how the trees respond, to the training. With growing confidence, new ideas can be experimented, some will succeed, and some may fail. But, with each failure, you will learn, how to go ahead with the task of creating a “sculpture” out of a “living specimen”.

Bonsai can be a horticultural challenge to a plant lover, but for someone with an artistic touch, Bonsai can be an excellent medium to keep on exploring where there will be no limit to creative achievements.

What matters in a Bonsai, is the true quality of the specimen. How beautiful it is, how natural it looks? It is the beauty of form, colour and texture, which matters. It is a fact that the beauty of the tree will improve with the length of time it had been trained as a Bonsai. But unless the basic form is of quality, aging itself will not make it a good Bonsai. As it is an artwork which is never finished, you can keep on working with it over the years, where you can get immense satisfaction.

Size of a Bonsai is not an important factor. Many believe that the larger the Bonsai, better it is, which is not true. It is also assumed that bigger Bonsai are more difficult to create, which also not true. It can be argued that, a mini or “Mame” Bonsai will require more patience and skills to create and maintain, because same aesthetic standards have to be achieved with fewer and smaller elements.

Having one or two quality Bonsai plants in your balcony can be as rewarding as having a large collection of Bonsai trees in a well spread garden. Creating a Bonsai and maintaining it, watching it going through the changes with time is an experience which you cannot just explain. It is worth trying.

Bonsai Artists all over the world exhibit their artistic creations in special exhibitions, organized by their respective Clubs or Associations in order to assess their plants and for public viewing.

The annual exhibition of The Sri Lanka Bonsai Association, “Reflections 2024 – Living Images” will be held at J D A Perera Gallery, University of Visual & Performing Arts, No.46, Horton Place, Colombo 07, on November 9-10 from 10 AM to 6 PM. A large collection of high-quality Bonsai Plants will be on display this year too.