In the floral domain

Ruwini Jayawardana

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Christopher Lim unfurls his experience, interests and rules behind his beautiful floral décor

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Serene, beautiful, bright and colourful. At the very first sight you would plunge into a conclusion that the so fragile floral creations definitely have a feminine lineage. Not this time... when a world renowned floral artiste makes a dramatic presence with his exquisite floral décor.

Renowned floral designer Christopher Lim visited Sri Lanka recently to demonstrate a variety of enchanting Ikebana creations at 'Floral Fusion' which took shape at the Bishop's Auditorium on August 16.

The Singapore-born energetic Lim started off with western floral arrangements before moving to the art of beautifully arranging cut stems, leaves and flowers in containers. Lim's exceptional talent, vision and creativity put him in the forefront in the beautiful floral art as his designs won much accolades where he was the official flower arranger for Miss World beauty pageants, world class occasions and important personalities including Queen Elizabeth when she visited Singapore.

"I got high qualification for western arrangement but Ikebana appealed to me. I have been searching for something different and found it in this Japanese art of flower arrangement," said Lim who is also a grade one teacher at Sogetsu School, Tokyo, Japan.

More than simply arranging flowers in a container, Ikebana is a disciplined form of art in which nature and humanity are intertwined. Unlike other floral arrangements which derive their beauty from a collection of particoloured or multicoloured blooms, Ikebana often emphasizes other areas of the plant like stems, shoots and leaves and draws emphasis towards the shape, line and form of the final construction.

Novel concept

Exclusive floral décor by Lim at Floral Fusion

Lim visited the isle on an invitation by Ikebana International Sri Lanka Chapter. With a host of credentials attached to his name including the Member of the AIFD, Holder of the highest qualification for American Floral Designers, there is no doubt that he is definitely a cut above the rest in the trade of floral design. He has moved away from the belief that Ikebana is only small arrangements.

"I have experimented with the techniques and have come up with a novel concept of blending the east with the west. It is something very different from most of the other floral arrangements in the world. I believe that engaging in something different and creative catches the eye.

Your work outshines other creations, " he said. Focusing on emerging interest towards Ikebana Lim says many Chapters of Ikebana have sprung all over the globe from Russia to Singapore and South Asia to America. Ikebana International Tokyo, Japan has 240 branches around the world in 57 countries. He says that despite religious and geographical barriers, Ikebana is being admired and taken up as a pleasing past time by individuals of all ages.

Stunning arrangements

"Ikebana was first offered at temples by monks. Gradually the beauty of this sweet smelling art was brought indoors. Engaging in constructing Ikebana designs is stress free and the beauty of the outdoor is transported to the indoor environment. Though it lasts for around two weeks, the calming impact it has on your mind does not wilt for a long period," he noted.

According to the gifted designer Ikebana creations can be put together from any kind of material. Thousands of stunning floral arrangements can come alive from a shrub or shoot which can be gathered in your garden or the roadside. With a few natural items in hand and a dose of creativity, a striking showpiece could form out of your hands.

"The key to this form of floral arrangement is to give space. Western arrangement is to fill up the space," he stressed on the difference between the two forms of flower arrangement. Interestingly Lim had also done flower arrangements for Queen

Elizabeth when she had visited Singapore and for Sir Elton John during one of his musical tours. He was the floral designer for Singapore Changi Airport for six years, a committee member of Singapore Sogetsu Association and a member of Ikebana International Singapore chapter 135. Being in charge of the floral designs for the Miss. World and Miss. Universe beauty pageants for five consecutive years had also been a hallmark in his career though he said now he had given up the task as he had been invited to China to engage in the flower export industry.

"I was once requested to do a flower arrangement around an oil rig in the middle of the south China sea in 1992. It was one of the highlights of my career as there was nothing but water all around. It was an experience out of this world. We even visited the site by helicopter," he laughed.

A delightful experience

Speaking on his visit to Sri Lanka Lim said his first visit to the island had been a delightful experience. He had visited Nuwara Eliya and gathered many endemic plants for his floral demonstrations here.

"People are so warm and hospitable that I feel as if I have known them for years. I have demonstrated in countries like China, Russia, Malaysia, Australia, Hong Kong, USA and India. I am certainly looking forward to come to Sri Lanka again," said designer who is 51 years young.

He aims to write a book based on all his travelling experience, the people he had met and the designs he had created.