AABC - SALVATORE LIPORACE - Act 1

[Bretts]

I noticed this on one tree in particular in the photos. It could be a great tree but it was as though wiring and ramification of the branches was left to chance in the refining stage! Not sure I should elaboarate more I might offend

[chrisatrocky]

Mel quoting Liporace:
The first thing I notice about Australian bonsai is proportion. John Naka, the American-Japanese bonsai master, was a great teacher and he was generous with his knowledge. His two books, Bonsai Techniques #1 and Bonsai Techniques #2 are bibles of bonsai information.

John Naka’s guideline for proportion was 1:6. The tree should be no higher than 6 times the trunk width. If the diameter of the trunk is 10cm the tree height should be no higher than 60 cm. But bonsai is an art and art changes.

Now the proportion is changing, big bonsai are not popular and the styling trend is towards smaller trees; trees to 15cm, 15-20cm, 20-30cm 30-45 cm. This takes the ratio to 1:3 and 1:4. If the trunk is 10 cm the tree should be 30 or 40cm high, not 60 cm.

My comment on Australian trees is the trees should be smaller. Of course this is my opinion. In a couple of days I go back to Italy and you can do what you want. Years ago Italian bonsai stylists felt they could never do as well as the Japanese Masters but this has proved to be false. The philosophy of 30 years ago has changed.

Salvatore Liporace is no doubtedly one of the best bonsai artist in Europe, I have admired his work since I started bonsai, unfortunately only on the net not in life. I don't believe in the ratio, I believe the material and artist determines the thickness of the trunk and the height of the tree, but he did quote John Naka's guidlines of 1:6. this I can see as being, yes I will say it, very acceptable as a tree with nice proportions, but it had nothing to do with the height of the tree.
And yes I agree there is a trend towards shohin size trees, so what is wrong with John Naka's guidline 1:6 or 10cm:60cm, 7.5cm:45cm, 5cm:30cm, 3.3cm:20cm, 2.5cm:15cm, this is how it works you have to halve both sides of the ratio, not just one. A ratio of 1:2-4 produces what are commonly called "sumo bonsai", which are very nice bonsai I have a few in my collection, but I like variety.

[Asus101]

Why are so many so quick to ridicule this man? I think that any artist who has a strong working and personal friendship with the most talented man in the bonsai as he has is worthy of respect even when the words he speaks conflicts with our own idea's.

Change is good, competition is good.

[LLK]

Why are so many so quick to ridicule this man?

There is no question of "ridicule". Let's not spoil a thread which has included many interesting observations.