Page 14 - BSAM 2016 Q2

The Wonder of
Creating a Pemphis
A demonstration by Min Hsuan Lo at BCI 2016 Convention in Manila
By Budi Sulistyo, Indonesia, and José Luis Rodríguez, Puerto Rico
Photography by Budi Sulistyo
During the BCI Convention in Manila 2016, we had the opportunity to witness the expertise of Min Hsuan Lo, a promi- nent artist from Taiwan, who shared his artistry with those present. As the sub-
ject of his demonstration, he chose a Pemphis acidula material.
e tree was formerly an established bonsai, but the shape and style was not optimum and did not bring out its true potential. at was the reasoning of the master and why he selected that particular material for his demonstration.
On a botanical note, Pemphis is a tree native to the Philippines, Indonesia and other Southeast Asian trop- ical countries. It can reach up to 4 meters in height, mainly growing in coastal limestone and sandy areas within high proximity to the tidal zone. Its leaves are small, thick, shiny and quite suitable for bonsai. Hav- ing hard, strong wood, naturally some of them will get
12 | BCI | April/May/June 2016