New York-based artist Mr. Flower Fantastic first wowed the internet when he turned Serena Williams’ Nike Air Max '97 into a floral masterpiece during the U.S. Open. This floral artist who prefers to remain anonymous, and whose abbreviation 'MFF' is also widely recognized, has built a reputation for combining floristry, sculpture, and today’s most sought-after sneakers as well as other ordinary items.
Mr. Flower Fantastic
Mr. Flower Fantastic grew up in a gardening household, which helped develop his respect for nature. His mother, he says, took great pride in her home garden, which to him played a key part in developing his unique enthusiasm for flowers and his passion as well.
Photo by @winniewow
As a kid, he would help her plant all sorts of plants and flowers and while maintaining them often felt like quite a chore, it made him what he is today. The self-taught, self-made, and in his art, self-actualized, man behind the mask has risen from these humble beginnings in Queens, New York to become one of the most in-demand floral artists in the world.
Photo by @mrflowerfantastic
Mostly shrouded in a world filled with colors and delicate petals, the often masked, Mr. Flower Fantastic prefers to let his artistry speak for itself. He allows his floral creations to articulate everything for themselves evoking emotions and telling stories through the language of flowers. He blends floristry and sculpture to produce one-of-a-kind pieces of pop art.
It’s All About the Flower... And Making People Smile!
His anonymity has a purpose; while on the one hand, he wears a mask and gloves due to his allergy to the items he uses for his art, on the other hand, he wants his work to be all about the flower, which he believes is one of the most powerful, universal gifts ever bestowed on humanity. He does not want his being to overshadow the importance of the flowers in his creations. Basically, what he does with flowers is all about making people happy and leaving them smiling. Thus, he often gifts his floral creations. Sometimes, he, even, just leaves flower arrangements around the city for people to find!
Mr. Flower Fantastic:
"Throughout history, the exchange of flowers was designed to bring peace. With my art and the platform I’ve been given, that’s exactly what I intend to do. There has been an overwhelmingly warm reception to my ‘Special Deliveries’ on IG and I am so grateful. I never expected it be what it has become.
I give my sculptures away because it feeds my spirit. It’s a scent that only the soul can smell. There was a special time in our world when people picked fresh flowers and created arrangements not to sell but to share, simply because it brought peace to whoever was on the receiving end. We live in a world where there is so much negativity and so much propaganda put in place to divide us as a human family. I’m just doing my part to counter that negativity with positivity in the best way I know how."
Making the Floral Creations
Perhaps it was the sight of bouquets lining the bodegas of his youth that kindled a passion for all things floral. But that notwithstanding, it only strengthened MFF and refined his artistic vision. Now he uses roses, tulips, lilies, and orchids as well as many other flower varieties, just as a painter uses different colors. When making his creations, he says, preparation is everything. For him, when starting a piece, he believes that the better he is prepared, the better the piece will be.
Photo by @rachanyyhem
Mr. Flower Fantastic:
"I try to make sure I am fully organized and that all my tools are within reach. Once I start working on a piece I generally don’t like to stop, especially for something like a lack of materials. I like to buy my flowers from local flower shops. Don’t get me wrong, wholesalers are great too, but it’s important to support the mom-and-pop shops as much as you can. That’s just my personal preference. Many of the flowers that I use in my work come from all over the world; Holland, Argentina, Japan, and even the Caribbean. The list goes on and on."
Photo by @winniewow
Twisted and Trimmed
Although these flowers are sourced from different parts, all over the world, their assemblage into a unique floral creation is admirable. The petals blend into each other harmoniously as, using his capable hands, the floral artist twists and trims them into the unlikeliest shapes and forms; from a Nike Air Jordan sneaker to a Kobe Bryant basketball jersey, a laughing emoji, a parked taxi, or a piece of street graffiti. And when complete, each piece simply encapsulates the bigger story of Mr. Flower Fantastic’s one-of-a-kind practice—truly a rose that grew in the unlikeliest of places.
Feature image by @gotit_lens, header image by @jeffkenjisloniker. Special Thanks to Mr. Flower Fantastic: Instagram: Mr. Flower Fantastic.
