Professional Bio
François Jeker is a French bonsai artist, teacher, author and visual artist from Alsace. He began practising bonsai in the early 1980s and developed his skills through work with internationally renowned figures including Pius Notter, Dan Barton, John Yoshio Naka and Tohru Suzuki.¹²
He is particularly known for his expertise in bonsai aesthetics and deadwood techniques. Jeker has written seven books on bonsai aesthetics and techniques, contributed to international bonsai magazines and taught through demonstrations, workshops and bonsai schools around the world.²
He also created the Bonsai Euro Top 30 in Mulhouse, which became a major European bonsai exhibition.¹ In recognition of his contribution to Japanese culture and international friendship, he received a Certificate of Honour from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2019 and, in 2026, the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays.¹³
Sources
¹ Jeker Arts – Curriculum Vitae
https://jeker-arts.fr/cv/
² Jeker Arts – Bonsai
https://jeker-arts.fr/home/bonsai/
³ Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace – François Jeker awarded the Order of the Rising Sun
https://www.dna.fr/culture-loisirs/2026/03/06/le-peintre-et-maitre-du-bonsai-francois-jeker-decore-de-l-ordre-du-soleil-levant