The Bonsai 'Tourist'

Tony Tickle tastes the delights of the dynamic bonsai scene in South America.

- Tony Tickle

Tony Tickle is one of the lucky few who travel all over the world to meet and greet bonsai Masters and enthusiasts. This time he went to Brazil and Argentina to meet some amazing bonsai personalities

Belo Horizonte

In May 2016 I was invited to Bonsai 2016 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. I was one of eight artists who were to present over the weekend, including my friend Mauro Stemberger from Italy and Alena and Vladimir Ondejcik from Slovakia. The team was extended even further by a handful of other artists from across South America. After 18 hours' travelling and three flights I arrived at the venue. Just imagine a self-contained thermal spa, with restaurants, 10 swimming pools and lots of accommodation. Add to that an owner, Francisco Carlos Correa, who is a huge bonsai fanatic growing amazing material in the fields and presenting a superb Bonsai Museum and you have the venue for the event.

Bonsai 2016 Brazil was organised by long standing artist and curator, Mário A G Leal, and supported by Francisco at The International Thermas, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The Bonsai 2016 event was built around education, with a fully packed programme of demonstrations, lectures and workshops.