Finding the beauty ...

Jeremy Fiske

Wellbeing

On the final day of school 2023 I had the great pleasure to introduce a mixed year level group of junior and middle students, along with a half dozen staff, to the joys of Ikebana. 

To say this most venerable of arts is ‘ancient’ would be to disregard the subtle evolutions that the Japanese art form has undergone over centuries. Like all things, Ikebana reflects and changes with the passages of time but with its soul firmly embedded in traditional philosophies of universal balance and questions of humankind's place in the scheme of nature, it is certainly a step or two beyond 'simple flower arranging'!

Ikebana is about balance and form. It is as much about what is not included, as what is included. It is the representation of the elements of nature, the cycle of life, creation and destruction. As a practice, it is conscious, creative mindfulness in action. 

All the students and staff who participated in the session took to the art with a relish!  It never fails to surprise and delight me that participants quickly become immersed and transfixed by the process of Ikebana. in this vein, participants also expressed how meditative, creative and valuable the process proved to be for them. 

Please take a moment to notice the delicacy in this small photographic representation of student work from a most enjoyable day.