Special Events

 

First Year Phd Conference at ANU

Thor Beowulf addressing the First Year Phd Student Conference at the Australian National University

As part of his research thesis review, Thor presented his paper on bonsai and comparative aesthetics to the academic community at the Research School of Humanities at the ANU in August 2009. This critical review provided an opportunity for other academics to critically comment on Thor's research topic and theoretical and methodological rationale. He passed with flying colours!

In November, Thor presented a paper titled "The silent narative of trees in the cultural religious landscape" at the Religious Communication Conference, held at Monash University in Melbourne (see Publications). This will be followed by a paper titled "Agency, authenticity and cultural transformations in the art of bonsai" he is presenting at an international conference, "In the Image of Asia: moving across and between locations" at the ANU in April 2010. Thor's PhD research work on the subject of bonsai at the ANU, ranked 17th amongst the world's universities, finally provides a distinguished forum and growing recognition of the art of bonsai in the academic world, which can only benefit the international bonsai community in the future. 

 

 

Three Men of Trees!

Photo: Donna Gibbons

Sen Bob Brown, Leader of the Green Party, Thor Beowulf - Bonsai Master & Phd Candidate at the Australian National University, and ABC gardening show presenter and organic lifestyle advicate, Peter Cundall at the opening of the new National Portrait Gallery in Canberra