Mia Pham
Ikebana Instructor
Mia Pham approaches ikebana through close observation and experimentation. Her work explores the structures, textures and movement of natural materials, with particular attention to how each element relates to the space around it.
Background & Practice
Mia studied journalism and worked as an editor and contributor before founding a business specialising in wedding décor and spatial design. Journalism developed her habit of observing, asking questions and finding stories in everyday things. Working directly with structures, materials and spaces later shaped her approach to ikebana.
She came to ikebana seeking a sustained creative practice that could enrich her inner life and inform her work.
Leaves, branches and familiar Vietnamese materials often provide a starting point. Through experimentation, she explores balance, movement, repetition and empty space, looking for ways to reveal each material’s particular character. Her interests also extend to ceramics, objects and spatial composition.
Approach to Teaching
At When Still, Mia continues to develop her own practice alongside teaching. Returning to familiar lessons as an instructor has shown her how differently the same material or exercise can be understood.
Her approach draws on her experience as a student and her understanding of the challenges that come with developing a practice. She offers guidance and encouragement while helping students find their own ways of seeing and working. Learning remains an ongoing process of observing closely, experimenting and recognising the possibilities within each material.
Selected Exhibitions
Exhibitions & Public Presentations
2026 · ONE | 縁 — Saigon When Still Study Group exhibition, Union Square, Ho Chi Minh City
2026 · Glean Exhibition, Ho Chi Minh City
2026 · Shadows of Summer, Digital Exhibition Vol. 2 — 5Senses Ikebana, Tokyo
2025 · Awakening – Khởi Sắc Khai Hoa, Union Square, Ho Chi Minh City
2025 · Vietnam Flower Show: Floral Dreams, Ho Chi Minh City
2024 · My Ikebana Diary, Season 3, Ho Chi Minh City
Echoform — online exhibition
Workshops, Collaborations & Special Projects
Hội Tụ — collaboration with Yoshika Thu Hà for ONE
Anza House — collaboration with N.T. Anh and Duy Ha for Glean
Untitles — collaboration with N.T. Anh for Echoform
2024 · HSBC Christmas workshop
2024 · Đóa hoa dịu dàng — floral workshop for OMO
