Definition: A design which hangs against a vertical surface.It may have a free flexible backing, firm single or multiple panel backing or be entirely independent of a backing. e.g. collage, swag, wreath, garland, plaque, decorative panel. Any combination of fresh/dried/artificial material can be used.
You should always check your competition Schedule for local restrictions.
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Class Title: An Oriental Affair
Staging: wall hanging, 40cm width, 60cm drop, judged from front
For this entry I have used a combination of Oriental effects – bamboo, silk, bare sticks and a dahlia flower.
A flexible bamboo mat is glued between two longer, thicker sections of bamboo as the backing and frame for my wallhanging. The mat is actually one of those that come in the sushi packs – you use it to help roll the nori, rice and other filling into the sushi shape. The top and bottom pieces of bamboo extend further than the mat on one side to give the design some negative space away from the actual floral material.
Attached by red decorative wire (since red is an important colour in the Orient) is a small test tube covered in a Chinese patterned silk. This is the water container for my single dark red dahlia. Remember to make your choice of floral and other horticultural material in keeping with the theme of the Class title – this design would not look as appropriate with roses for instance.
Three bare sticks of tortured willow form part of the backdrop for the flower, giving the wallhanging an Ikebana feel. Plain cotton string forms the hanger for the wall – this is part of the design.
Judging feedback: An excellent interpretation of the class title. Always take into account the colour of the staging area – some of the effect of the negative space in this design is lost to the colour of the wall behind.
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Class Title: Weaving with Flowers
Staging: wall hanging, 60cm width, 80cm drop, judged from front
My approach was to have the design incorporate the weaving being done by the flowers themselves, so I needed to choose some plant material that didn’t require water during the competition. I also chose to not have a backing for this wall hanging.
Proteas are a very hardy flower that come with useful foliage and a good strong stem. My first task was to weave the individual strands from the palm inflorescence (flower head) into itself, giving me a good woven background as well as ensuring it remained within the size restrictions for the class.
Next I wove the protea stems through the palm in both vertical and horizontal directions to emphasize the “weaving” pattern.
The importance in this simple and effective design is to keep the balance and harmony between the elements in place.
Judging feedback: An excellent wall hanging, without backing, relying on the plant material alone to interpret the class title. A few more proteas at the back of the design to give it more depth would have enhanced this design further.