AusBonsai Australian Native Bonsai Awards 2010 Result Announced

[AndrewM]

Congratulations to all that entered
There are some great examples of Australian Bonsai. This should give others that didn't enter inspiration to create some nice trees for next years comp.

Thanks Ausbonsai

[Bretts]

ps I just realised I have a Leptospermum that would have fitted into Cat 2 Ahh bugger !

I know that feeling KC. I have lost count how many times I have had a heart attack when I see an empty spot on the bench. First thought is I have tree missing. Then I try to work out which tree it was and what I have done with it

Congratulations to all. Some amazing entries I can only hope I have something better for next year

I am glad this Literati by Pegasus got a special mention I missed that. This species as Mela has stated is brilliant for bonsai.
gallery/image_page.php?album_id=87&image_id=529

[Deemon]

Wow. What a privilege it is to have my name and tree next to Pup's!! Thank you.

Deemon

[Ellen]

Would it be possible for the judges to briefly list reasons for their choices? That way it would be a learning experience for newer followers .

[dayne]

Yeah that would be good to see the merits of each tree as a learning experiance

[Pup]

Sorry to say this guys, especially from me. I do have a bad taste in my mouth now, this is a familiar theme.

I have discussed this with others on this forum. Pup

[Ellen]

Oh dear I think I'm over my head here. I haven't got the faintest idea what you're talking about . I'm new to bonsai and am keen to know what is the difference between a very good one and a prize winning one. Otherwise I don't know what I'm supposed to be admiring - I could be enjoying the not so good attributes of a piece and missing the really good ones. I'm not having a go at the judges, just asking for more information.

[Pup]

Ellen I was referring to a post here that questioned the validity of competition. I made reference to my self winning a first in a competition.

Then getting, and still getting flak for it,from the people that did not. That is all I hope this clears up my comment.

There is a wonderful Japanese saying about Bonsai it is this. You never ask a Lady her age just admire her beauty, so it is with Bonsai.

Not all see what you, see in a tree and what you like is different from what I like. The format for judging is different from just admiring, it has parameters that are set so the points awarded are then collated.

So when you have 3 three judges ,one will see something different to the others, that way you get a consensus and the result.

In most competition's there is usually a rider, Judges decision is final no correspondence entered into. I am not sure what the judges here will do. I did notice one saying he will not say any more after what he wrote. I hope this in some ways clears up what I said about bitter sweet taste.

Pup

[MattA]

Pup, anyone who is giving you flak can take a hike. The tree won because it is stunning, years of caring for the tree & alot of time & practice to display & photograph it so well. A truly world class tree, stand tall & proud that You won.

I for one would like to see this become OUR National competition. The standard of entries was fantastic & motivation to get out & do more with the trees i have & with natives in general. Hopefully in time I can have a tree that I would be proud to have stand along any of the fine examples that were entered this year.

Thanks to Steven & the other judges for there diligence in making the right decision regardless of any differences in opinion it seems to have generated.

The honour is in being able to stand amongst the entrants.

Matt

[bonsaiworld]

Thank you Steven for this wonderful website. It must be taking hours of your personal time and we are very grateful to you. This was one of the best competitions I have ever been in. I have enjoyed tidying up my few natives and showing them on your site and I have so enjoyed not having to carry my trees to a show to display them. You don't have to justify to any of us how you went about the judging, Pup's trees are an inspiration to us all and the outcome was well deserved, but no surprise. Thank you to the three judges for their time and THANK YOU PUP for showing us your trees, congratulations on your wins, you deserve it, but did you have to set the standard so high for us to chase next year.
Cheers Carole

[Rhiannon]

After FlyBri's mod note, I'm not sure if I should be asking this... but I was wondering for the people who have a problem with who won - why? I don't ask to stir trouble, and I hope that's not how it is coming across, but I'm interested to know from a constructive point of view why some feel the winners, or awardees, are not worthy. What did other entrants do better?

Like Ellen, I am a beginner. But rather than wondering what to admire, as I tend not to go by the bonsai rules I'm not acquainted with and simply appreciate anything that suits my personal taste, I am wondering what to critique. I'm wondering what design flaws one sees in any of those trees. I'm interested in an extended, constructive answer solely for the purpose of learning something new.

I kinda feel so far that any critiques have been vague. I think if you're going to say you're embarrassed by the result, perhaps you should offer up a substantial reason as to why, otherwise the objection seems to hold no validity.

I hope that post doesn't sound incendiary, because that's not my intention.

[bonsaiworld]

I posted my previous comments before I read Pup's comments about getting flack over 'competition'. I can't believe anyone would be so blind, Pup's trees are as someone said, "World Class" and if we hadn't had this competition some of us living in other States may never have otherwise had the opportunity to enjoy them. As for competition being a good or a bad thing, some members of my Club thought it was bad and didn't want it either but I support what Masahiko Kimura once said and I quote, " Showing and judging trees creates competition and competition generates development and escalates the standard of bonsai." I notice on page 175 of his own book "The bonsai art of Kimura" his very last comment is "if competition generates development, we must strive to raise the creative and artistic level of bonsai today." I think we could all agree that Pup 'strived' and 'succeeded' and we are pleased for him and what it will do for the standard of bonsai. So give us more competitions and help us strive to escalate our standards.
Thanks for the competition, Carole

[kcpoole]

I read the negative comment to be a rant on the quality of the entries in the cat 2 and 3 sections and not the Category 1 awardees' trees myself.
Did the poster put a tree in himself? if not why?

The lack of justification of the comment has left it ambiguous in the extreme. I am still trying to figure out what it actually meant and if the poster woudl like to elaborate then we would all be much the wiser

Ken

[LLK]

I've visited the competition gallery umpteen times already, because it is too hard to take in all the entries in just one go. There is so much to see! Beside appreciating individual trees spontaneously, as one always tends to do, there is the challenge of discovering the finesses in their styling and guessing what motivated the various artists specifically. Apart from the winners, to whom I extend my sincere congratulations there are the many bonsai that must have come close,
so, really.... congratulations to all.

Lisa

[Gerard]

Congratulations to all who were involved in this competition, entrants organisers and judges. Many thanks to the sponsors.
(I have been none of these)
You have inspired me to work harder at producing native bonsai.
Many people have asked what is the judging criteria for this competition, and before I learn this is probably the best time to express my thoughts.

Australian natives do not easily fit the template for the classical bonsai styles, many Australian artists are breaking new ground in this respect.
Trees should be - pleasing to view
- a realistic shape for the species
- healthy
- an image of an older or larger tree
Trees should not - contradict nature
- look contrived

Thanks again to those who have displayed their art for our enjoyment

Gerard