Shuji Ikeda

This first program of the 2006-07 season presented the fascinating work of Shuji Ikeda, Ikenobo Sokakyo Professor 3d Grade. Mr. Ikeda places ikebana in woven stoneware "baskets" of his own creation, also using new and old bamboo baskets. His unique pottery is widely admired and collected. He won first prize at the San Francisco Art Commission Exhibition in 1984 and the prestigious Niche Award in national competition in 1997. His work is shown at the San Jose Museum of Art, the Smithsonian, Gump's, San Francisco Craft and Folk Art Museum, and it is sold in the gift shop of the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. Corporate collectors include Unocal Corporation and Duke Energy Corporation.

Mr. Ikeda is the author of many articles and books. They include "500 Baskets: A Celebration of the Basketmaker's Art", "Beautiful Things", "Baskets: Tradition & Beyond" and "Object Lessons, Beauty and Meaning in Art".

Mr. Ikeda teaches ikebana classes at his Berkeley studio to novice through advanced students. In October 2006 he will be Guest Artist at the Richmond Art Center (CA) and in 2008 he will be a featured speaker and demonstrator at the North American Regional Conference in Monterey, CA.