KARACHI: Award-winning floral designer from Australia Mark Pampling on Friday participated in a floral demonstration titled ‘Structured Harmony’ where different decorative techniques were discussed and exhibited in the midst of floral enthusiasts.

Having been declared Australia’s floristry champion on several occasions, Pampling used a variety of flowers such as orchids, carnations and chrysanthemums, with foliage and utilised material readily available to come up with an experimental floral design.

The first floral arrangement Pampling worked on utilised a wooden frame with intricately woven thread and wire. According to Pampling, he has attempted a similar arrangement several times but each time the end product was a different interpretation.

Using pinks, reds and black, he incorporated newer elements to the design which he said was a dramatic coordination of colour and design. After every act of entwining jute, or incorporating foliage along with perishable and non-perishable flowers, Pampling took several steps back to inspect his work and ensure that there was symmetry in his design.

His designs at the demonstration reve­aled clean interpretation with careful introduction of new material that was very different from each other. His mastery appeared seamless in his final product.

Chicken wire was clearly among Pampling’s favourite design materials which he used to bind and intertwine different materials onto the existing installation. He also spoke about how though more florists and floral designers use scissors to cut their material, especially their flowers, he preferred a knife. Over time when one gets used to it, he explained, it is easier to manage. He advised the floral enthusiasts in the audience to try this technique.

Pampling also demonstrated how to work with a circular installation and how it is more challenging to do so as one’s instinct is to not allow the eye to veer off from within the circular design. However, he took a more experimental route and allowed his design to spill over. With the use of beautiful orchids, he kept the colour palette simple with allowing only yellow and white to dominate the brown tree roots, and with a hint here and there of green foliage.

Mark Pampling came first in 2014 when he was declared Fusion Flowers International Designer of the Year. Working with flowers can be tricky and dissuade many from venturing into this art form. For those his advice is simple: “Flowers may be beautiful and even glamorous, but they also demand hard work and patience — and it is usually always worth it.”

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2017