NZBA Demonstrator Wendy Gibbs

 
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AREA: Christchurch, Canterbury
CLUB: Christchurch Bonsai Society
PHONE: Home (after hours) 03 981 8594 or Mobile 021 024 65903
EMAIL: wendyg2360@yahoo.com
FEES: Negotiable

TEACHING / DEMONSTRATING PREFERENCES:

In my demonstrations & workshops I emphasize the essential connection between knowledge of basic botany & sound horticultural practice, & the development of beautiful bonsai. My favourite species for use in Bonsai are Maples, Junipers, Corokia, Larch & Satsuki Azaleas. I am happy to do any type of workshop/ demo, but prefer to go beyond the initial transformation of raw plant material into a bonsai style, into methods for correct pruning for ramification, & refinement or re-balancing of established bonsai to improve their aesthetic quality.

SPECIAL AREAS OF INTEREST:

My specialist interests include satsuki azaleas (and other azaleas) as bonsai, root-over-rock and allied styles, development of ramification & back-budding (especially in junipers), shohin bonsai, and matching bonsai with appropriate containers.

BACKGROUND:

Involved in Bonsai since the early 1980’s, initially studying with Bob Langholm, & members of the Auckland Bonsai Club. Moved to Nelson in the mid-late 1980’s, was a founding member of the Nelson Bonsai Club, taught & demonstrated around the Nelson area for the following years. Did workshops with international Bonsai demonstrators such as Ben Oki & Dorothy Koreshoff. Moved to Christchurch in 2002, with study trips to the UK & Europe in the next few years; (involving visits to, workshops with & demonstrations by various Bonsai artists including John Hanby, Nobuyuki Kajiwara, Takeo Kawabe, Hiruharu Kobayashi & others). Listed as a National Demonstrator with the NZBA in 2005. President of both the Avon Bonsai Society (2004 – 2005) and Christchurch Bonsai Society (2007 – 2019), and have done many demonstrations and workshops for both clubs. Also have done demonstrations, talks & workshops for Dunedin & South Canterbury Bonsai Socs, and a range of garden clubs & other groups, and taught private bonsai classes. Attended most NZBA Bonsai Conventions, and been on the organising committee of several conventions.