William Amor

Les créations messagères

Artificial flower maker

©William Amor

A message in a flower

William considers plastic waste to be a creative raw material
He is an entirely self-taught multidisciplinary artisan
He won the 2019 Grand Prix de la Création de la Ville de Paris

William Amor’s workshop in Paris is a cross between a botanist’s lab and a jewellery maker’s workshop, with tools laid out on tables and meticulously executed floral bouquets lining the windowsill. Upon closer inspection, the flowers have another dimension to them: each piece is made of reused plastic waste. William is driven by a strong commitment to creating works with meaning, which are used for fashion, design and artistic installations. He founded Les Créations Messagères to raise awareness about environmental issues by transforming abandoned materials that cause plastic pollution into delicate floral works, each one imbued with his philosophy and carrying a strong message.

Interview

©Matthieu Gauchet

©William Amor

Why did you choose to create flowers?: Since childhood, growing up in the French countryside, I have always loved flowers. I wanted to become a botanist but as it was mainly laboratory work, genetically modifying flowers, it didn’t correspond to my creative spirit. Today, I create the flowers I envision in a way that suits my convictions.
How do you reuse plastic waste to create your floral arrangements?: The plastics industry has created an abundance of materials without thinking of their final disposal. They are used for their outstanding properties – lightness, durability – everything I make use of afterwards. I want to give value to these materials and transform them into flowers, the most beautiful elements of nature.
You do a lot of work with disabled people. Why?: Art is an apprenticeship, for everyone. In society, the disabled are undervalued due to parameters they did not choose, much like a discarded plastic bottle that I believe can be transformed into something beautiful. I am against these preconceived notions and the judgment of value, be it in people or in materials.
How did you learn your techniques?: It took years of research and experimentation, working with tools that were not intended for the materials I use. Today, I look at a bottle I picked up off the street and I’m blown away by the transformation. People often say to me: “I will never again look at a plastic bag in the same way”.

William Amor is a master artisan: he began his career in 2005 and he started teaching in 2015