Sogetsu Ikebana Sydney NSW Exhibition in the Historical Eryldene House & Garden
Updated: 3 hours ago
Awakening History Through Floral Art: Sogetsu Ikebana at Eryldene
On Sunday, 14 June 2026, history and contemporary Japanese floral design merged in spectacular fashion at the historic Eryldene Historic House and Garden in Gordon, NSW. Hosted alongside Eryldene’s annual Camellia Open Day, the Sogetsu Ikebana Sydney/NSW branch presented a landmark exhibition that brought the iconic heritage estate alive with structure, colour, and natural rhythm.
Honouring a Historic Connection
Eryldene holds a cherished place in the story of Australian horticulture and art, particularly through its historical bond with Norman Sparnon. As the pioneering master who introduced Sogetsu Ikebana to Australia, Sparnon famously exhibited at Eryldene, building a timeless dialogue between traditional Japanese floral aesthetics and Australian heritage architecture
Bringing the Tennis Court to Life
The centerpiece of the day was an ambitious, large-scale outdoor thematic installation across Eryldene’s long, silent grass tennis court. Guided by project leader Maude Freymond-Wanner under the expert mentorship of Sandy Marker, 25 Sogetsu artists transformed the open lawn into an interactive, four-part floral narrative inspired by the game itself:
Arc of the Serve: Led by Jamie Lee and Alexander Evans, capturing energy and direction. Other artists: Maude Freymond Wanner, Mary Margereson, Merrilyn Caswell, Sha Nguyen, Joseph Yip Leonora and Joziasse.
Imaginary Net: Led by Vicky Saik, exploring transparency, boundary, and structure. Other artists: Christine Lee, Sandy Jumikis, Deb Dibley, Sue Wong and Pip Ditzel.
Rebound: Led by Gwyneth Teh, reflecting movement, echo, and return. Other artists Jenny Goodwin, Margaret Hall, Paulina Rosa and Junko Daniels
Out of Bounds: Led by Sandy Marker, pushing creative freedom beyond standard margins. Other artists: Jorgen Rasmussen, Sarah Perceival and Sari Lamsa.
Using sculpted branches, sweeping foliage, and bold architectural lines, the installation breathed fresh vitality into the garden, turning the historic lawn into a canvas of living sculpture.
Masterful Demonstrations & Indoor Displays
Beyond the grand outdoor installation, visitors experienced the intimate artistry of Ikebana through live public demonstrations in the Tea House held by two of Sogetsu Sydney/NSW’s most esteemed longstanding members: Sandy Marker and Jenny Goodwin.
Meanwhile, individual artists displayed meticulous arrangements throughout the interior rooms of the historic house and studio. Each indoor work was carefully tailored to interact with Eryldene’s historic furnishings, period decor, and soft natural light—creating a serene, immersive journey through every room.
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