Malaysian Penjing Master, Wyn Lee
Once again Pembroke School hosted the workshop weekend with visiting demonstrator from Malaysia, Wyn Lee.
Observers witnessed some stunning transformations and several participants have provided their thoughts about their experience.
John Mansfield: Trish and I spent a very rewarding day attending Wyn Lee’s workshop. It was interesting to watch Wyn tackle a wide variety of trees. He demonstrated an amazing ability to see through the muddle of leaves and branches to produce beautiful solutions. He worked quickly but precisely on the trees.
I took a pepper tree and was concerned it would be cut back to almost nothing (I had been warned). In fact Wyn took my tree, compacted its growth, and then gave it back a characteristic weeping pattern. I was so pleased with the results.
Trish took a shimpaku and this got the radical treatment turning a healthy but nondescript bush into a beautifully styled plant. Wyn is a gifted practitioner and has a relaxed and humorous style. Please enable him to come again.
Thanks to Wyn and all those who help organise these workshops.
Sandra McKenzie: At the workshop I attended, Wyn was presented with a variety of plants which, to the participants, posed the question “What can I do with this?” Wyn explained that when he sees a plant which needs to be transformed into Bonsai, he visualises a possible outcome whilst retaining the naturalness, beauty and appealing aspects of the plant. He then proceeded to make jins, sharis, advised and demonstrated carving, pruning, reasons for defoliating, changing the position of the tree in the pot to enhance its beauty and apply the most amazing wiring techniques and repositioning of branches .
I was truly impressed by his vision and the transformations which were achieved – inspiring and at the same time achievable.
Congratulations to the committee for organising Wyn’s visit. I can only recommend that when given the chance to do a workshop, members take advantage of the opportunity.
Giuseppe Pappalardo: The workshop with Wyn Lee was truly remarkable. Wyn’s personalised approach resonated with each of us as we embarked on creating our own unique bonsai trees. His mastery of the Chinese style breathed life into our creations, turning them into living sculptures. It was indeed a fantastic day.
