Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 5 hours ago
On a recent cold rainy morning prior to the start of the 100th Kokufu exhibition fellow bonsai professional Andrew Robson joined us to discuss the potential for expansion of display opportunities at the next Pacific Bonsai Expo. This show has rapidly risen as the premier exhibition of bonsai in North America, and the efforts of Eric Shrader, Jonas Dupuich (mailto:jonas@bonsaitonight.com) , and Andrew Robson to create a destination to display bonsai at the highest level, opening the door to ideas that might allow people to think outside the box and do something special. Without any context for the discussion, Andrew and Ryan sat down to discuss the possibilities of what an artistic display could look like, how spaces could be created for contextual display, and ideas both professionals might have to transform a space into something that could conjure creativity. It was exciting to say the least.
Beyond bonsai, Andrew and Ryan discovered their shared love of the art of suiseki and discussed Andrew’s stones that were presented in the recent Kokufu exhibition. It was a nice way to celebrate such a milestone of bonsai on a global level and to open the door for future discussions around stones and an art form that is under-appreciated, yet so powerful in its ability to transport practitioners. We invite you to sit back, relax, and enjoy!
You can find Andrew’s work here (https://www.rakuyobonsai.com) .
Explore the Pacific Bonsai Expo (pacificbonsaiexpo.org/?srsltid=AfmBOor65IYtklhcwd4yshJUrwx9RMAWzx8fX-Uh3xiWRQYr69pZuieR) for upcoming dates as well!
On a recent cold rainy morning prior to the start of the 100th Kokufu exhibition fellow bonsai professional Andrew Robson joined us to discuss the potential for expansion of display opportunities at the next Pacific Bonsai Expo. This show has rapidly risen as the premier exhibition of bonsai in North America, and the efforts of Eric Shrader, Jonas Dupuich (mailto:jonas@bonsaitonight.com) , and Andrew Robson to create a destination to display bonsai at the highest level, opening the door to ideas that might allow people to think outside the box and do something special. Without any context for the discussion, Andrew and Ryan sat down to discuss the possibilities of what an artistic display could look like, how spaces could be created for contextual display, and ideas both professionals might have to transform a space into something that could conjure creativity. It was exciting to say the least.
Beyond bonsai, Andrew and Ryan discovered their shared love of the art of suiseki and discussed Andrew’s stones that were presented in the recent Kokufu exhibition. It was a nice way to celebrate such a milestone of bonsai on a global level and to open the door for future discussions around stones and an art form that is under-appreciated, yet so powerful in its ability to transport practitioners. We invite you to sit back, relax, and enjoy!
You can find Andrew’s work here (https://www.rakuyobonsai.com) .
Explore the Pacific Bonsai Expo (pacificbonsaiexpo.org/?srsltid=AfmBOor65IYtklhcwd4yshJUrwx9RMAWzx8fX-Uh3xiWRQYr69pZuieR) for upcoming dates as well!








![Artist Residency: Triskele Collective at Bonsai Mirai | Bristlecone to Kiln
Triskele Collective x Bonsai Mirai: wood-fired bonsai ceramics inspired by ancient bristlecone pines (White Mountains + Yosemite).
A residency with Tom Benda, Andrew Pearson, and Thor Holvila, guided by Ryan Neil, exploring how wild environments shape bonsai and the ceramic vessel.
On this artist-in-residence journey, the Triskele Collective travels with Bonsai Mirai from the Patriarch Grove’s ancient bristlecone pines to Yosemite, gathering insights (and even natural salt) that inform a wood-fired anagama kiln firing back at Mirai. See how landscape, material, and collaboration converge into one-of-a-kind bonsai ceramics.
What you’ll see:
Bristlecone Pine ecology & form → how it influences bonsai design
Field study at 11,400–11,600 ft in the White Mountains (Patriarch Grove)
Yosemite hikes, waterfalls, and how scale/spirit translate into clay
Triskele’s process: material experiments
40-ft anagama kiln: 5-day wood firing, ash as natural glaze
Reflections on collaboration, art, and the future of bonsai vessels
Featured artists (Triskele Collective):
Tom Benda – wood-fire sculptural vessels & functional bonsai ware
Andrew Pearson – form, texture, and landscape-driven ceramic surfaces
Thor Holvila – Nordic-influenced bonsai ceramics with strong silhouettes
Locations & keywords for context:
White Mountains (CA), Patriarch Grove, Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, Yosemite National Park, Bonsai Mirai (Portland, OR), anagama kiln, wood ash glaze, salt as flux, field study, alpine ecology.
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: Triskele Collective departs Bonsai Mirai
00:45 – On the road: White Mountains & bristlecone ecology
03:00 – Patriarch Grove: wind, age, and tree form lessons
06:20 – Yosemite: scale, water, and translating landscape to clay
11:00 – Material experiments: surface ideas
12:40 - 40-foot wood firing anagama kiln
13:45 – Reflections: collaboration, influence, and future of bonsai ceramics
About Bonsai Mirai
Bonsai Mirai, led by Ryan Neil, merges horticulture, design, and ecology to advance contemporary bonsai. Learn with us, shop tools and ceramics, or become a member for deep-dive education.
Call to action:
👍 Like the video if you love bonsai, ceramics, or wood firing
🔔 Subscribe for field studies, kiln firings, and design critiques
🛒 Explore bonsai tools & vessels: [https://goods.bonsaimirai.com/]
🎓 Join Mirai Academy (education + community): [https://live.bonsaimirai.com/academy]
▶️ Watch next: The 3rd Wheel Potters | Artist Residency at Mirai [https://youtu.be/iZUtDmUjXZs]
Credits
Artists: Tom Benda, Andrew Pearson, Thor Holvila
Host/Creative Direction: Ryan Neil – Bonsai Mirai
Special thanks: Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest & Yosemite stewards
Hashtags
#Bonsai #BonsaiMirai #TriskeleCollective #BristleconePine #Yosemite #Ceramics #BonsaiCeramics #Anagama #WoodFiredCeramics #RyanNeil #WhiteMountains #PatriarchGrove Artist Residency: Triskele Collective at Bonsai Mirai | Bristlecone to Kiln](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZHycLYjrchQ/mqdefault.jpg)

