AGAVE INSPIRATION

A selection of the monthly exhibits for June 2009

 Above:Harshida Shah

Two large contorted agave leaves were wound around each other and wired to a metal stand. A large sphere covered with glittered wood shavings rested in the cavity whilst smaller spheres covered with eucalyptus nuts rested on the metal stand. Three pale yellow garden roses which, though overblown, perfectly complemented the variegation in the agave leaves and ready bought fancy ting ting finished the exhibit.

 Above:Pravina Shah Gold Award

A wooden plank was accurately cut to slot into the metal tray. This tray was acquired during a workshop conducted by Alison Bradley after the WAFA Show in Glasgow in June 2002 and has been used in umpteen exhibits since. Three long nails were then driven through the plank. These cannot just be hammered in as this would split the wood. Holes must first be drilled in the plank, through which the nails are held in place with the help of wooden plugs. The agave leaves of this species are naturally contorted into exciting shapes. Three of these were impaled on to the nails. Hypericum berries were studded along the length with paper pins, whilst three dry foam spheres covered with Hypericum were inserted at the ends. The red roses at the base were held in thin slices of soaked floral foam which was then concealed with gravel.

 Above:Rashida Hajee Gold Award
A plain green agave leaf was cut from the plant about ten days prior to arranging. This was from the variety which is commercially cultivated to produce sisal. Agaves are so fleshy and full of water that freshly cut they are impossible to manipulate without snapping. The leaf was then folded and weighted down with a heavy object. Amazingly, it acquiesced and assumed the desired shape! The base was flat enough to give the exhibit the required stability. Pearl headed pins were inserted through the top and bottom to hold the stems of Cyperus alternifolius (Papyrus) placed at different angles. Paper covered wire was then used to attach the three white Zantedeschia aethiopica ‘Innocence’ to the Papyrus stems. Small white pearl beads strung on to firm wire were creatively used to embellish the tip of the agave leaf whilst pearl-headed pins added a subtle accent to the edge of this minimalistic design.
 

 Above:Vibha Dodhia

Grey leaves from Agave franzosinii should neither be submerged in water nor cleaned in any way as this destroys their natural grey colour as well as the unique sheen. The best bet is to pick leaves which are as clean as possible. As these were plucked a few days before manipulating, it was possible to roll the ends as secure them onto the leaf using the sharp spine naturally occurring at the edge of the agave leaf. In the enclosed space thus formed, a lemon was placed. Three pewter grey metal bases about 4” square with a thin rod welded at each the base were used to support leaves, and fine fishing line was used through the looped area to tie the leaves to the stands. A few yellow carnations were arranged in small slivers of floral foam to echo the colour of the lemons. Though the floral foam could be glimpsed below the carnations, no attempt was made to conceal it with foliage or anything else as that would detract from the sleek clean cut image of this refreshingly different exhibit.