Sticks Workshop

Find out how to get the balance right. Build a bamboo pyramid and using your imagination decorate your own Japanese inspired masterpiece.

Floral artist Hiroaki Eba and teacher Jane Gado draw inspiration from Japan to understand balance and harmony while nature provides the materials for this organic art workshop. Bamboo sticks and flowers are used to create the constructions.

Things to try

• What decorative plants grow at home?
• Look at different seasons through plants
• Investigate floral art traditions of Japan
• Play statues (but call it sticks!) and practice balancing without moving
• Talk about the different meanings of the word 'peace'

Visit the Hanasho Flower and Artwebsite for inspiration

Meet the artists

Hiroaki Eba

Hiroaki Eba became a florist 33 years ago, in Tokyo and then Kyoto, Japan. He has spent some time travelling, mainly in India and Nepal, where his experiences and the things he saw were through a florist's eye. He then opened his own floristry business, HANA HIGH, in his home town Mito, Japan. Ten years ago he moved to Brisbane, where he continues to work in floristry, and in 2007 he opened HANASHO - Flower & Art in West End.
Drawing influences from ancient Japanese artistry, combined with his own experiences of different world cultures, Hiroaki's work has featured in both Japan and Australia, including displays at the Toowoomba Flower Carnival; exhibitions at South Bank's Art Factory; various stage plays, magazine articles, advertising brochures and concert performances.
'In Japan we do not use the word 'arrange' for flowers. We say 'IKERU' which means putting life into flowers. A flower is the metaphor for life.' Eba

Jane Gado

Jane Gado is a Drama and English teacher, and currently Acting Curriculum Leader for English Years 6 to 9 at Redeemer Lutheran College, Rochedale. Jane has taught for eight years in Mackay and Brisbane secondary schools. She is Vice President of Drama Queensland, a professional association for drama educators. In 2007, Jane lived in Japan where she taught English to secondary school students. Her interest in Japanese culture was ignited and while there she learnt some of the skills of Ikebana. 

Balance and harmony found in the natural world inform this floral art workshop. Hiroaki Eba and drama teacher Jane Gado investigate perspective in other aspects of life. Students each make a pyramid of sticks based on the principles explored. Designed to be suitable for both boys and girls.
Ages 5+

Curriculum connections

KLAs The Arts, SOSE
ELAs Active learning process, Imagining and responding

 Related topics

• Construction design and materials
• Cultural influences on the decorative arts in house and garden
• Beauty 

Before

• What decorative plants grow in the school grounds
• Look at different seasons through plants
• Investigate floral art traditions of Japan
• Play statues and practice balancing without moving
• Talk about the different meanings of the word 'peace'
• Visit the Hanasho Flower and Art Website for inspiration

Meet the artists

Hiroaki Eba
Hiroaki Eba became a Florist 33 years ago, in Tokyo and then Kyoto, Japan.

He has spent some time travelling, mainly in India and Nepal, where his experiences and the things he saw were through a Florist's eye. He then opened his own Floristry business -HANA HIGH - in his home town Mito, Japan. Ten years ago he moved to Brisbane, where he continued to work in Floristry, and in 2007 opened - HANASHO - Flower & Art in West End.

Drawing influences from ancient Japanese artistry, combined with his own experiences of different world cultures, Hiroaki's work has featured in both Japan and Australia, including feature displays at the Toowoomba Flower Carnival; exhibitions at South Bank's Art Factory; various stage plays, magazine articles, advertising brochures and concert performances.

"In Japan we do not use "arrange" for flowers. We say "IKERU" - putting life into flowers. A flower is the metaphor of life." Eba


Jane Gado
Jane Gado is currently a Drama and English teacher, and Acting Curriculum Leader for English Years 6 to 9 at Redeemer Lutheran College, Rochedale. Jane has taught for 8 years in Mackay and Brisbane high schools. She is Vice President of Drama Queensland, a professional association for drama educators. Jane lived in Japan in 2007, where she taught English to high school students. Her interest in Japanese culture was ignited and while there she learnt some of the skills of Ikebana - Japanese flower arrangement.