Best in the U.S.

This 2006 series spotlighted bonsai images from participating clubs around the United States.

Note from the Curator

In the 50 years since bonsai first seized the attention of the American public at large, it has progressed from a naive hobby-only activity to a sophisticated art that is driven by bonsai professionals and some highly motivated and skilled amateurs. Bonsai is still practiced by most people as a hobby or an enjoyable leisure-time activity. For some, however, bonsai — like painting, photography, sculpting, poetry, or music — becomes a passion that focuses their time, creativity, and resources. These are the people whose work captivates others in the community around them and whose teaching informs and inspires.

In the past few decades, American bonsai practitioners have advanced their art in two ways: first, by absorbing and internalizing the traditional aesthetics and techniques of Asian countries (such as China and Japan) where bonsai is an indigenous part of the culture. In pursuit of that goal, an increasing number of serious bonsai students — young and old — now travel to China and Japan to study intensively under the guidance of bonsai masters. Second, a number of American bonsai artists have focused attention on native American tree species and their growth habits, using them as models for a uniquely American bonsai style. In either case, bonsai clubs dedicated to artistic research and education have appeared across America, in cities large and small.

Bonsai clubs serve more than the educational needs of their members. All art is communication between the artist and his or her audience, so opportunities to exhibit or perform are crucial to fulfilling the purpose of the work. Bonsai clubs offer opportunities for their members to exhibit their work (and for audiences to enjoy it), but that exposure tends to be local and therefore limited. The Pacific Rim Bonsai Collection's special exhibit "Best in the U.S." is an opportunity for clubs across the country to expose their organizations and their members' work to a larger audience. We hope that all who view these exhibits will find them informative and enjoyable.

David De Groot, Curator

 

View the 2006 Best in the U.S. exhibit