IKEBANA PRACTICE

I practice Sogetsu Ikebana, a contemporary evolution of the traditional Japanese art of floral arrangement. Rooted in the philosophy of Ikebana yet open to individual expression and approach of unconventional materials. Sogetsu Ikebana can be created anytime, anywhere, by anyone. It is an art practice that invites personal interpretation while honouring its cultural heritage.

My Ikebana performance theme: Live in the moment. Embrace transience.

Ikebana is an invitation to mindfulness, presence, and a sense of calm through the balance and connection of elements. It’s a gentle nudge to be wholly present, to cherish the here and now, and to shift our vitality away from dwelling on the past or fearing the future. Ikebana embodies impermanence, speaking through nature’s fleeting beauty, it shapes the way I choose my materials.

The connection to nature and sustainability intrinsic to Ikebana's philosophy. It shapes not only my materials but also how I engage with the world around me. It takes form in repurposing of found objects mindfully, selecting materials with intention, and reinterpreting discarded elements into a second-life. Twigs, withered leaves, and fallen petals possess as much artistry as fresh blooms. It is not in perfection, but in presence, re-birth and improvisation.

In an era of excess, Ikebana offers an alternative, a return to mindfulness, to harmony, to intimate dialogue with nature. Rooted in Japanese tradition yet speaks a universal language of the human-nature equilibrium, rhythm and impermanence, Ikebana practice fosters cultural exchange by honouring the past while embracing the future. Through it, we connect with history, reinterpret it for the contemporary world, and bridge the old with the new.

Ikebana is more than an art form; it’s a way of seeing and a way of moving through the world. Like nature, we too are constantly evolving, and in that transformation lies subtlety.

SELECTED PROJECTS

Hedy Leung's  'Assemble' Ikebana performance at HIAP Helsinki presented by PF25 cultural projectsHedy Leung's  'Assemble' Ikebana performance at HIAP Helsinki presented by PF25 cultural projects
Hedy Leung's 'SWOOSH! POKE! POW! OOF!' Ikebana performance at Open Hand Open Space, ReadingHedy Leung's 'SWOOSH! POKE! POW! OOF!' Ikebana performance at Open Hand Open Space, Reading
Hedy Leung’s ‘Ethnobotanic Resonance’ Ikebana performance at London Metropolitan UniversityHedy Leung’s ‘Ethnobotanic Resonance’ Ikebana performance at London Metropolitan University
Sogetsu Ikebana composition by Hedy Leung at Giardina, Messe Zurich, featuring cotton plant, and vessel by Dorothee SauterSogetsu Ikebana composition by Hedy Leung at Giardina, Messe Zurich, featuring cotton plant, and vessel by Dorothee Sauter
Hedy Leung's 'Sogetsu Ikebana 3 x 7 = 21' performance-installation at Atelier Mondial BaselHedy Leung's 'Sogetsu Ikebana 3 x 7 = 21' performance-installation at Atelier Mondial Basel
Sogetsu Ikebana demonstration by Hedy Leung, with vessels by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec and Laura Sattin at Vitrahaus, GermanySogetsu Ikebana demonstration by Hedy Leung, with vessels by Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec and Laura Sattin at Vitrahaus, Germany
Hedy Leung 'Starlit Ethnobotanical Wonders' Ikebana performance at Ma UMI residencies Ishigaki JapanHedy Leung 'Starlit Ethnobotanical Wonders' Ikebana performance at Ma UMI residencies Ishigaki Japan
Digital collage 'Meet you at midnight', part of the Fractured Ephemera series, showcasing fluid and layered Ikebana elementsDigital collage 'Meet you at midnight', part of the Fractured Ephemera series, showcasing fluid and layered Ikebana elements
Sogetsu Ikebana workshop, featuring with unconventional materials, Ikebana International SwitzerlandSogetsu Ikebana workshop, featuring with unconventional materials, Ikebana International Switzerland
Inspired by nature’s palettes, exploring fluidity and balance in the Sogetsu Ikebana artInspired by nature’s palettes, exploring fluidity and balance in the Sogetsu Ikebana art
Hedy Leung's '202200080026' Ikebana performance-installation at E-werk FreiburgHedy Leung's '202200080026' Ikebana performance-installation at E-werk Freiburg
Hedy Leung's 'Menhir Tapestry 1' performance at Radio X 25th anniversary X_ARTS FestivalHedy Leung's 'Menhir Tapestry 1' performance at Radio X 25th anniversary X_ARTS Festival
Sogetsu Ikebana arrangement by Hedy Leung, displayed in a basket by Maeda Chikubosai II at Design Miami, Messe Basel, BaselSogetsu Ikebana arrangement by Hedy Leung, displayed in a basket by Maeda Chikubosai II at Design Miami, Messe Basel, Basel