Shoan Lo | Ikebana | Melbourne

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023

Introducing Shoan, an accomplished practitioner and educator in the realm of Sogetsu Ikebana. Guided by the expertise of Shoso Shimbo since 2005, Shoan’s devotion to the craft extends beyond her own practice. She played a pivotal role in establishing the renowned “Ikebana Gallery,” showcasing her dedication to the art’s propagation. Her talents have been showcased in various public exhibitions and esteemed competitions, reaching diverse audiences and captivating with her blend of tradition and innovation.

Read our Q&A about Shoan Lo, to find more about her Ikebana journey.

1. How were you introduced to Ikebana?
I was invited to join the floral team at church despite not knowing anything about floral arrangement. Then I started researching and came across Ikebana and fell in love with it. And Yes, I am still doing church flowers but with ikebana principles!

2. Why do you love Ikebana?
The harmony with flowers, the poetry behind it all. It is not all just about how “pretty” the flower is.

3. What is the best advice you have received through your ikebana studies?
Meditate and practice and you will see things differently.

4. How did you manage to turn your passion into a business?
I went through some really tough time before that and realised how much healing I got from Ikebana. Then I thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice if I could do ‘more’ of it?”

5. Are there any artists who you look up to or inspire you most?
Mostly the masters from the Sogetsu school. Like Ken Katayama, Sozan Nakamura, Kosa Nishiyama and Shogo Kariyazaki. While in the art world, I get inspiration from artists like Salvador Dali and Yayoi Kusama. And most importantly, my teacher, Shoso Shimbo.

6. Where do you source your materials & containers?
About the containers, half of them I got from Japan with more than a dozen of the really interesting ones I got from an aunt who used to practice Sogetsu Ikebana as well. The rest I got from Op-shops!
The materials, I get them mainly from my own garden or backyards of friends and family. I do ikebana for my church weekly and occasionally the church members would surprise me by bringing materials from their backyards. As for flowers, I mainly get mine from Impulse at Carnegie. The staffs have been wonderful looking after me for more than 17 years.

7. How would you describe your style of Ikebana?
Fun and dynamic.

8. Do you have a favourite material or season?
My favourite material changes a lot!! However, I realised I love using gypsophila and it is my “go to” materials. Also, Dancing Lady Orchid (if I had the money to buy them!)
I don’t have a favourite season. I guess I do not like Summer. Melbourne summer is so hot in recent years making transporting florals very difficult and it is a challenge to keep the ikebana alive.

9. What is the advice you would give to someone who is studying or teaching Ikebana?
Practice, meditate and enjoy.

10. Do you have any good Ikebana secrets / tips to share?
Good artists copy. Great artists steal. Learn from the masters’ works.

11. What is ahead in your flower future?

Get more opportunities to promote ikebana to the public, so more people will know the goodness of ikebana and appreciate the way of flowers. And of course make more and more ikebana!

12. For flower lovers – where would you recommend they visit in Melbourne in a 24 hour visit?
The Royal Botanic Gardens of Victoria – so big and so many different section to stroll around. Must visit the water lily section! Walks along the Yarra River banks- links you up to many lovely places around Melbourne. Can take you a whole day!
The NGV Garden – very interesting installations though not a lot of flowers! And if you happen to spend your 24hr in Melbourne on 7-8 Sep 2024, then you must pop in to the Melbourne Ikebana Festival at Abbotsford Convent for a great weekend of ikebana immersion!

Business Details
Website: www.shoanlo.net

Instagram: @shoanlo

Services: weekly classes, beginner workshop, ikebana performance and demonstrations. Also online classes at IkebanaDojo.org

Upcoming events: Friday Weekly classes following Sogetsu textbook curriculum

19 August 2023 – Ikebana Workshop at NBBC Women’s Ministry “Craft with Purpose” https://bit.ly/craftwithpurpose23

September 2023 – Villa Alba – Kew Melbourne

7-8 September 2024 – Wa Melbourne Ikebana Festival, Abbotsford Convent (more info below)

Any other information you’d like to share

I am the project manager for the following festival:

The Wa Melbourne Ikebana Festival, Abbotsford Convent
7-8 September 2024 – A weekend to immerser yourself in Japanese Flower Arrangement. Festival program include Ikebana dinner show, demonstration, exhibition and workshops by local and overseas artists.
More details: https://www.ikebanafestival.com

Hanadayori 2023
As part of the Wa Ikebana Festival online program, we are about to release the Hanadayori 2023 videos. Hanadayori is a unique ikebana exhibition which directly connects ikebana artists with a wide audience. It aims to introduce two way interaction, from the audience to artists and from artists to the audience. This approach makes it possible for ikebana artists to find out what people really want from ikebana. It is a challenging but rewarding experience to create artworks based on requests from strangers.
https://www.ikebanafestival.com/hanadayori-2023/hanadayori-2023-update