The WA Melbourne Ikebana Festival is pleased to present the Melbourne Ikebana Container Award & Exhibition, a biennial opportunity inviting ceramic artists to create works that inspire ikebana artists.
The choice of container is a quintessential element of ikebana. The artistic essence of ikebana lies in the creation of harmony between container and cut flowers. Through this unity, an ikebana artist is able to capture the true spirit of the flowers. This award celebrates that relationship by encouraging dialogue and collaboration between ceramic artists and ikebana practitioners.
Internationally renowned ceramic artist Hiroe Swen AM will serve as judge for the award.
Exhibition Details
Dates
29–30 August 2026Venue
Store Gallery
Abbotsford Convent
Abbotsford, Victoria
(Please check the map on our Contact page to locate Store Gallery before arriving at Abbotsford Convent.)
Important Dates
- 1 June 2026 – Entries open
- 1 August 2026 – Entries close
- 9 August 2026 – Finalists announced (see News page)
- 28 August 2026, 2:00–6:00 pm – Delivery of artwork
- 28 August 2026, 7:00 pm – Judging
- 28 August 2026, 11:00 pm – Winner announced online
- 29 August 2026, 10:00 am – Award ceremony
- 29–30 August 2026, 11:00 am–5:00 pm – Exhibition (Free admission)
- 30 August 2026, 5:00–7:00 pm – Collection of artwork
How to Apply
(Click to visit the application page)
Prize
Hiroe Swen Award
$1,000 cash prize (non-acquisitive)
Judge: Hiroe Swen AM
Ceramic Artist
Former Lecturer in Ceramics, Australian National University Institute of the ArtsHiroe Swen AM (née Takebe) is an Australian ceramic artist based in Queanbeyan, NSW, originally from Kyoto, Japan.
Influenced by her deep engagement with classical literature and her love of classical music, Hiroe’s ceramics embody a timeless elegance. Her hand-built works are the result of an ongoing exploration of form, colour, and texture, with glazes personally developed through extensive experimentation. The richness and diversity of colour and surface in her ceramics are widely regarded as exceptional.
Born in Kyoto in 1934, Hiroe became a ceramicist during a vibrant period in Kyoto’s art scene, shaped by influential movements such as the Sōdeishaceramic group. She relocated to Australia in 1968 with her husband, designer and artist Cornel Swen.Now recognised as one of Australia’s most celebrated ceramic artists, Hiroe’s career spans more than 60 years. Throughout her life, her ceramics have continually evolved, reflecting personal experience, resilience, and artistic renewal.
Her achievements have been recognised with numerous honours, including:- Order of Australia Medal (AM) – 2023
- Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays (Japan) – 2016
- Canberra Times Artist of the Year – 2000
Her work is held in over 120 public collections, including 20 Australian galleries, Australian Parliament House, and Australian embassies worldwide. In 2023, a digital archive titled The World of Hiroe Swen’s Ceramic Art was launched to share her knowledge and legacy. Hiroe has also served as a judge for the Ikebana Gallery Award, the first online ikebana competition open to all ikebana students.
Message from Hiroe Swen AM
Ikebana is an art composed of flowers and container. The choice of container reveals the unique aesthetics of each ikebana artist. The role of the container in ikebana is comparable to that of a frame in painting or a dish in cooking.
I have always hoped that ikebana artists would choose containers with great care and give special attention to the ceramic artists who create them. The Melbourne Ikebana Festival—where an international ikebana exhibition and a container exhibition are presented side by side—offers a rare opportunity for ikebana artists and ceramic artists to collaborate, inspire, and stimulate one another.
After viewing many outstanding finalist works, judging was extremely difficult. I will select the work that best meets the following criteria:- An ikebana container created with a unique and individual aesthetic
- A work that is not only visually beautiful, but also brings joy to ikebana artists and inspires them to create new arrangements
Although many ceramic art exhibitions exist, this project—established in Melbourne by ikebana artists—is internationally and historically distinctive. I greatly look forward to seeing the future development of this exhibition, as well as the evolution of Australia’s own ceramic art, which may take a path different from that of Japanese ceramic traditions.
Curators
- Ryoko Winstanley – Chief Curator
- Shoan Lo – Ikebana Artist
- Sue Healey – Ikebana Artist
This video features renowned ceramic artist Hiroe Swen reflecting on her long and distinguished career as a ceramic artist in Canberra, Australia. She shares insights into her artistic journey and creative philosophy.
Hiroe helped establish the Hiroe Swen Award as part of Wa Melbourne Ikebana Festival.
Additionally, the video showcases Ikebana works by Shoso Shimbo, incorporating Hiroe Swen’s ceramic pieces. Shoso is planning to publish a photo book featuring Ikebana arrangements inspired by Hiroe’s artworks in the near future.
