Bonsai in the Wild

Among the many pursuits toward conservation in North America, art is a powerful and nuanced way to connect with the individual on a holistic level. Through the medium of miniaturized trees, we connect people to the landscape, and illuminate the issues that the native trees are experiencing. Through this connection, the mission of our work is to encourage all people toward a mindset of conservation and stewardship.

Mirai in the Wild is an original series that follows bonsai professional Ryan Neil as he journeys to the native landscapes of endangered and significant trees. Embedded in the environment, he processes and understands the elements of nature in the way that the tree does– interpreting and expressing the aesthetic of nature through the art of bonsai.

With a yamadori limber pine, spools of copper wire, and an array of tools in hand, Neil takes the styling of a tree into the environment. The sensations of smell, textures of the earth, blasting winds, and glaring sun completely influence the styling experience. The immersion of the artist into the place of inspiration awakens profound revelations; humans and trees become equal organisms in the vast grandeur of Crater Lake.

Watch the Short Film, Mirai in the Wild, here:

Purchase limited edition Crater Lake prints here: