BonsaiExpoUK has long been the EBPC's favourite UK show of the year!

Although not in any way 'elitist', this special exhibition has always striven towards helping everyone to consider, appreciate and improve, both the quality of their bonsai but also of the quality of displays in the U.K. The organisers are to be commended for their consciensious hard work, and efforts. Even outside of the event, having gone to the lengths of organising 'display' workshops and talks by professionals in preparation for this exhibition. 

The intricacies of bonsai display are fascinating, and executed with consideration and thought, can result in our trees being showing at their very best - highlighting the trees most favourable characteristics, and reinforcing the trees 'story' through the accompanying elements within the composition.

Having started as an evolution from a long running club level show (Heathrow Bonsai Show), in recent years BonsaiExpoUK has continued to rise in popularity, in the quality of trees and displays, and in the incredible atmosphere at this buzzing event. 

Last year, the entire display was dedicated to the pots of the great potter and painter: Itou Gekkou of Seto.

For me - the chance to display these great pieces and discuss the details of his pots and compositions with friends and enthusiasts is priceless. ​​

This year, the pot display will introduce & celebrate the works of some of the most successful and collectable of Japanese bonsai potters.

​I won't say too much before the exhibition, but there will be a blog article after the event.

​The EBPC will also be trading, and have some fantastic new pots from some of your favourite European artists - kept back especially for this event!

I am very excited to show off the great new pots we will have available - and to chat trees and pots with friends and customers (some are both!). 

If you can make it to Crawley on the 13th of April 2025, this is certainly an event not to be missed! 
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Thanks, and see you there,
Alex

Exquisite entries from 33 of Europe's most talented bonsai potters were featured this year, in the EBPC Pot Display at the prestigious 'Trophy Bonsai Exhibition' over a magnificent 100ft display.

The quality and diverse variety of entries this year was particularly impressive, with entries ranging from the classical styles, to cutting edge techniques and  contemporary themes. We will look at the display in full in another article. 

​ The winning entry was this striking wide-rim ceramic pot with a Lotus-shaped form and bespoke wooden base, by Fukurou Ceramics of Switzerland.

The pot has a wonderful blue/green aquamarine glaze, with impressive crystal nucleation​. The lower part of this piece is an intricate, structurally designed wooden base that the pot inserts seamlessly into. Also made by the artist, the structure and inlay technique used here, further showcase his exceptional and varied talents.

... From Fukurou's EBPC Potter Profile: 
'Fukurou Ceramics are the bonsai ceramic creations of Patrik Luthi, a gifted artist from the picturesque country of Switzerland. These high-quality handmade pieces have a touch of the Japanese aesthetic, yet retain a distinctive ‘Fukurou’ style. Designs are inspired by classical forms and are very suitable for use with good quality bonsai trees. ‘As with bonsai, I feel mostly attracted by the traditional pots, but love to develop new glaze recipes and new shapes.’
 
Being the grandson of a woodsman, and having grown up around the woods, mountains and lakes of Switzerland, Patrik has always had a close affinity with nature and has kept bonsai for over a decade. Studying at the renowned Kitoras Bonsai School under Nicola Crivelli, Patrik has developed a keen eye for bonsai design and aesthetics – an essential requisite for creating high quality bonsai ceramics.  
 
Pots are mostly thrown on a potter’s wheel, or slab built and come in a variety of forms. Unglazed wares come in a range of clays, including a wonderful dark grey, and a reddish-brown clay. No commercial glazes are used, as Patrik enjoys experimenting and creating exciting new glazes.'

Thank you to Patrik, and all of the talented artists that contributed to the magnificent display of bonsai ceramics this year. 
Please look out for the coming post on the Pot Display. 

Thank you for following and supporting the EPBC.


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                                             SUBMISSIONS TAKEN FROM  15th JULY - 28th NOVEMBER 2023!
 
                                                            CALLING ALL BONSAI CERAMISTS of EUROPE
 
In February 2024, Europe’s most prestigious bonsai exhibition will again be hosting the largest display of high-quality bonsai ceramics in Europe – the EBPC Trophy Pot Display! 
 
We love celebrating and bringing more attention to the pots! Since the EBPC first started pot displays in 2015, the POT DISPLAY has become an integral part of leading bonsai exhibitions across Europe, as it has been for many years in Japan. 
 
As enthusiasts and professionals alike attach increasing recognition to the importance of quality European bonsai ceramics, the main purpose of the display is to enhance appreciation in the art of bonsai pottery and to highlight the aesthetics and functionality of high-quality bonsai pots.

The pot display will exhibit 100ft of the best in European bonsai ceramics and will be a great education for the general public and bonsai enthusiasts – in addition to being an integral part of Europe’s finest bonsai exhibition.
 
Successful entrants will enjoy viewing their work on display at Europe’s most prestigious exhibition, and additionally each pot displayed will be forever recorded with a half page entry in the celebrated Trophy annual hardback book. ​

​Please CLICK HERE to take register & part in  
​
THE TROPHY BONSAI EXHIBITION 2024 EBPC POT DISPLAY

Thank you for helping to support great European Bonsai Pottery
www.EuropeanBonsaiPotterCollective.com

​Many of the best trees in the U.K. were on display as well as suiseki and bonsai ceramics. The traders area was a treat for enthusiasts and traders alike, with trees from some of the UK's leading bonsai nurseries, pot dealers, potters, sellers of tools and everything else a bonsai aficionado could want! 

For a better idea of what was on display, Sylvestris Studios were comissioned to create a video documentary of the show, which is definitely worth a watch.
​ You can find it here. ​

The EBPC were asked to put on a bonsai pot display, which this year was in the theme of cascades. 'The Ups and Downs of Bonsai'.  
Here are just a few pics (didn’t get a minute to get more!) of the day and of some of the pot display.  It was great to meet up with old friends as always.

​ … pictured above - Les Storey with one of his winning trees, a stunning blackthorn in a gorgeous Stone Monkey pot … an excellent windswept Hawthorne display by Russ Farley, displayed on a table by DR Bonsai Tables … and I was nursed back to health by frog boy, Simon Haddon of Sukteki bonsai pots

A few of the pots on display .. 

​A few people were heard saying that this was the best show in the UK to date, and the quality, not only of the trees, but also of the intricacies of display, was very impressive. It is quite obvious from the exhibition that British enthusiasts are paying more attention to quality pot, stands, accents and display details. With some of the displays being at a high standard for a show anywhere in the world. 

www.EuropeanBonsaiPotterCollective.com

In just 10 days from now, Europe’s most prestigious bonsai exhibition, 'The Trophy International Bonsai Exhibition' returns, after 2 years of being postponed due to Covid.  

​
The EBPC has once again arranged for you, Europe’s largest display of exquisite bonsai pots. A 100ft display, this year featuring the ‘Best in European Bonsai Ceramics’! .. Not to be missed!

Please also visit us at the EBPC Trade stand, where we will be hosting a few EBPC member artists and have some excellent bonsai ceramics available for sale.

We can’t wait for all this exciting weekend has to offer, including catching up with everyone!
We hope to see you there!

The Trophy by Bonsai Association Belgium
European Bonsai Potter Collective
#ebpcpots #Europeanbonsaipottercollective #TheTrophy #bonsaiexhibition #bonsaipotdisplay #potdisplay

A very enjoyable time was had at last weekend's 11th Heathrow Bonsai Show. This ever growing exhibition has a very friendly atmosphere, and differs, as it showcases club displays from across the country. It therefore attracts so many enthusiasts of all levels and it was so great to catch up with so many friends not seen for so long! 
​A huge thank you to everyone that came along, and especially to all our customers for your ongoing support.

​
​Congratulations to Shiten Bonsai Society (of which I’m a back seat member) for their excellent winning display, and to everyone who entered trees.

It is with great sorrow and a very heavy heart that we must announce the passing of Doug Mudd on Wednesday 15th December 2021. 

Doug was one of Europe's finest and most respected makers of bonsai display furniture and was the founding member of the EBPC furniture section. A much loved member of the bonsai community and a devoted member of Wirral Bonsai Society. Doug was a true gentleman and the nicest person you could hope to meet. He was a mentor to up and coming table makers, and thoroughly enjoyed helping them advance. 

​Doug only managed to create a few tables for the EBPC before he tragically became ill. The table he was working on at the time, and could not finish is now the most treasured piece in the EBPC collection and will be used in pot displays for years to come in honour of this incredibly talented and inspirational man. The table is pictured below with an antique Chinese pot. 

Doug recently submitted a display to Expo Bonsai UK 2022, which has been accepted and will be displayed. 
​
​His tables will also be enjoyed for decades to come at leading bonsai exhibitions.

​Doug will be remembered and greatly missed by many and our deepest condolences go out to Doug's wife Christine and family and friends.
​Rest in peace my friend! 

Pictured above is the plaque recording and celebrating all of the stamps and signatures used by Andrew Pearson of Stone Monkey Ceramics throughout his career. Currently the only such plaque in existence, Andrew kindly produced this for the EBPC to be used for pot displays and it can be seen above in the company of plaques by Japanese greats - Gyouzan, Bigei, Reiho, and Kakuzan. 

Revered across the bonsai world, Stone Monkey Ceramics comprehends and is conscious of the the tree-pot marriage and produces excellent designs, in a variety of forms and finishes that suit trees impeccably. As the first Westener to have been invited to participate in the world's leading bonsai exhibition and small pot contest, 'The Gafu-ten', (which he won first place in the unglazed section!!) we thought it fitting to have such a plaque made by Andrew - the first by a European potter as far as we know. 

The EBPC are proud to support such artists, and we are very excited to be able to offer a range of 20 exclusive pots by this leading artist - COMING VERY SOON! 

Thank you for supporting the EBPC and great European bonsai ceramics.