[TheStoriesOfTop7] Seclusion - Junmiao Xu / China - IAPLC 2017

Ms. Junmiao Xu of China is second in the World Ranking with her layout titled "Seclusion". This entry placed second, even without any extra points that are given to the judges' Best Aquarium, same as the Grand Prix work, and there is only a five-point difference between these two. The third-place entry received 20 extra points by being selected as Best Aquarium by two judges. As previously mentioned, despite Mr. Sim and Ms. Xu's classic expressions commonly seen in past contests, they were ranked the highest because of the point system. It was an encouraging surprise to find out that "Seclusion" was created by a female aquascaper, indicating the spreading popularity of the planted aquarium hobby. This entry received good remarks for the criterion "Recreation of natural habitat for fish" from four judges, namely Mr. Mitsuo Yama- saki (Japan), Mr. Armando Miguel Alves (Brazil), Dr. S.K. Unnikrish- nan (India), and Mr. Philippe Chevoleau (France); and we may make the point without fear of misunderstanding that the entry is robust and dynamic, and develops an extensively muscular impression to it. This is rare to see with a female aquascaper. The layout is meticulously completed in every detail. The entry seems representative that the hobby is enjoying more popularity than ever before in China.

IAPLC 2017 Gallery - Look back history - World Ranking 0002 - Gold Prize

Seclusion 

Author: Junmiao Xu / China

Aquarium Size/W120×D45×H45(cm)

Aquatic Plants

Glossostigma elatinoides

Ceratopteris thalictroides

Bucephalandra sp.

Cryptocoryne wendtii (Green)

Vesicularia sp.

Fissidens

Riccardia chamedryfolia

Moss sp.papua

Fish & Invertebrates

Hemigrammus ocellifer ocellifer

Paracheirodon axelrodi

AWARDS

World Ranking 0002 Gold Prize IAPLC 2017

3rd Place, AGA 2017 - Aquatic Garden, 200 - 320L

Comments

This layout was inspired by a scene from a movie. The tranquil forest was suddenly attacked by a storm; massive trees were pulled out by the roots; branches were scattered all over the place. Exposed roots and fallen trees were making a vivid con- trast with the surrounding scenery. I expressed this scene in the tank with woods and branches. However, a month after I created the layout, I felt uncomfortable with the driftwoods I had used to represent fallen trees, even though aquatic plants were growing well. So, I changed the composition in order to balance the over- all layout. I represented that life is born and dead, branches are covered by green forming into a new aquascape as time goes on, and the approach of rainy season gives strong vitality to plants. In the afternoon of August 7 in Beijing time, I was informed that I had won the Gold prize by my husband, who runs the aquarium shop with me. First I thought it was a joke and couldn't believe it. I confirmed it with my husband over and over, and finally understand the situation. Receiving such high evalua- tion is a great encouragement to me who is still a beginner. I thank my husband and the member of CAA.

Amazing work. Well balanced hypernatural. The stem of the trees are well detailed and expressive. Both sides of the reflections are well done but the first plane should be better detailed. One layout of this category cannot use the plain carpet in the front. But nothing that takes value out of the exceptional layout except for the thicker tree of the front which uses different language from the others drawing much attention. Great layout and perfect skills. I loved it!
— André Longarco

Powerful wood design concept.. Excellent work!
— Kam Wong