Deciding which one of Horst Heinzlreiter’s pots to show as the lead photo seems almost random, considering Horst is so prolific and all of his pots are worthy. The same goes for the six pots below. Numerous others as just as good, but you have to stop somewhere (for a whole slew of Horst’s pots, check out this facebook post).
Sometimes it seems my function here is art curator (and sometimes art critic). I show you pictures of beautiful or unusual things (usually bonsai), make a few questionable comments and leave the rest to you. So here we go again, except this time the beautiful and unusual things are pots rather than bonsai.
More specifically, they are ceramic art by Horst Heinzlreiter cleverly disguised as bonsai pots. The question that arises when I see these is not ‘are they beautiful and unique’ (any fool can see that) but, were you to own one, would you show it alone? Or would you try to find that perfect tree for that perfect pot?
A little postscript: Turns out that this a timely post. Many of you are in, or entering into, your fall potting season. If you’re an experienced bonsai hand, you know that you can’t have enough good pots to choose from. Which brings us to the topic of our most excellent selection of Yixing bonsai pots (if can’t get your hands on any of Horst’s pots, Yixing just might be what you are looking for).
The first time I saw a pot by Horst, it actually took my breathe away. I was lucky enough some time thereafter to find a small accent pot by him at a regional show, and I bought it. It sits on my kitchen window sill with a dwarf geranium. I enjoy looking at this piece of art every day. He is truly creative.
Beautiful pots! I think you’d have to search long and hard to find a tree that would complement one of these pots! I love the uniqueness of some of these pots. Potters like John Pitt, Dan Barton and Walsall ceramics also have some stunning pots too. One of the few disadvantages of living in New Zealand is the lack of potters over here.
Horst is a creative giant! He goes off on these wild, outrageous benders that blow my mind.
THe pot shouldn’t outshine the tree, or call a lot of attention to itself.
I believe they call that shibui.
I admire the art of the pottery. The talent needed to create pots like that. However I wouldn’t use any of them in a bonsai display. As Terry above states a bonsai pot should not be the center of attention in the display.
Hi Mac,
Yeah. These spectacular type pots do seem to work with grasses and other kusamono type plantings though. Trickier with bonsai for sure.
Guy above says “The pot shouldn’t outshine the tree, or call a lot of attention to itself.
I believe they call that shibui.”
Yet there is a Japanese idea which states the ornate beauty of the pot (particularly picture pots) can be equal to (in balance with) the dignity of the tree.
I have seen some gorgeous pine bonsai in blue and white somtsuke pots, they looked truly amazing and a real break from the now more western convention of muted colours.