All bonsai are, at their core, representations of nature. Bonsai, whether stylized,idealized, or virtual replicas of their larger counterparts, are depictions that reflect thediverse tree forms observed in nature. They are aesthetic compositions, employingmultiple visual elements intentionally arranged to create harmony, dynamism, or tensionin the image. All bonsai involve a combination of design elements, most involve a singletrunk, positioned in varying degrees of inclination, accentuated by a particulararrangement of the foliage for a given design, and complimented by a specificallychosen container (pot) to render the desired visual effect.The theme of“Forests” for our next exhibition is emblematic of a wide range ofrecognized bonsai“styles” involving multiple trunks that can be arranged as a forest orsmall grove of individual trees or as a clump with several trunks growing from one rootsystem. Forest bonsai, and all the other multi-trunk bonsai styles are more complex tocreate and difficult to design due to the increase in visual elements that define the style. Artists are therefore much more challenged to render multi-trunk images that convince our “mind’s eye” that we are beholding a vignette of nature in miniature. You are invited to experience the "Lilliputian world” of forest bonsai and the fascinating variety of other multiple-trunked bonsai styles that will be on display at the Clark Bonsai Museum in Shinzen Garden.