Bonsai In Conversation

Ofer Grunwald is living and working in Brussels and Jerusalem and is a self-taught multidisciplinary artist, working mainly in mixed-media installation and figurative sculpture. His work is informed by his background as a world-leading bonsai artist, and driven by a fascination with processes (whether personal, social, cultural, technical, or artistic) and the tension between the dynamic and the seemingly static. 

 In this episode we explore the crossover in Ofers sculptural figurative work and his bonsai creations. His involvement with the national Bonsai collection in Jerusalem, Israel and his stewardship under Italian bonsai artist Enric Savini.  

Ofer’s installation pieces, which have become his main practice, emanate from various deeply-ingrained traditions that have served as a formative backdrop for him, personally. These can be cultural traditions, religious traditions, artistic traditions, etc. His work tends to turn a critical, but ultimately compassionate eye on these traditions. By rendering them contemporary and dynamic, Ofer highlights the dissonance between tradition as a static object, and the dynamics of the society that practices that tradition. 

Martin Walters is a Bonsai artist and professional electrician from Auckland in New Zealand. His love of Bonsai originally came through his fascination with Japanese Culture and the martial arts. Martin works under the banner of "Kenzo Bonsai" where he holds regular workshops and demonstrations to his students and Bonsai friends. Martin's tutelage has primarily been under Australia artist and former guest on the podcast, Tony Bebb.

Martin is the former president of the Auckland Bonsai Society, which saw him primarily running beginner classes and arranging international and local demonstrators. 

In this episode we find out what's happening on the New Zealand Bonsai scene, the different species people are working on, as well as some Bonsai tips and tricks that Martin was happy to share with us.

Austin Heitzman is a  master craftsman who uses wood as his primary medium in the creation of avant-garde tables and stands for Bonsai. Austin's work has given rise to a paradigm shift in the minds of many artists who are beginning to explore a new frontier with the way in which Bonsai can be displayed.

In this episode, Austins tells us about his approach to stand making, the different timbers and techniques he likes to use and how he transitioned into this niche form of art. We also discussed  his recent collaborative efforts  on the  highly  successful "LAB Project" series  in conjunction with the Pacific Bonsai Museum, Ron Lang and Ryan Neil.

In this Episode we are in conversation with Thor Holvila, a Bonsai potter and artist based in Sweden. Thor's unique approach & philosophy has endeared him to people from all over the world. Here we get an insight into this time in Japan, the influences that inspire his unique work and we visit the oldest living tree in the world (spoiler, its' in Sweden!).

Robert is a firebrand in the world of Bonsai. He predominately works with tropical species and complains they grow too fast!! In this episode we discuss the Black Scissors and 'WORBAC' movements, Robert's approach to Bonsai design, how Ryuga came to be  and Robert's visions for the future of Bonsai worldwide.

In this episode, Mauro tells us about the foundation of his studio 'Bonsai Dream', his private collection, his many Bonsai schools around the world, how he started with Bonsai and where to find the best Bonsai party on the planet.

Introducing Bonsai in Conversation. David Segal in Australia and Tony Tickle in the UK  have teamed up and are creating a podcast that presents some of the best known names in the world of Bonsai. It’s a great listen full of stories and sprinkled with hints and tips on bonsai, pots and the events around the world.