'Inspiration I get from forest, jungle and desert'
Master florist Alexander Spek is happy with what he can and may do within the floral profession. 'There are always challenging assignments coming my way and over the years I have built up a clientele that gives me the confidence to make what I am good at - and where I can put my creativity.'
'Inspiration I get from forest, jungle and desert. I love to travel, but not just untouched nature: a city has a lot of beauty to offer, too. It's fantastic to see how plants manage to survive there in difficult conditions or in bizarre places. Sometimes you can see little bonsai-like shapes emerging from walls, for example. No city trip without a visit to a park or botanical garden.'
'During the year I like to experiment with grasses, ferns and mosses. I also really like tropical plants like Bromelia, Heliconia, ginger and all kinds of leaf shapes. I myself have several Asparagus species and Anthurium from which I can cut. I also work with non-organic materials such as copper.'
'During autumn, I like to be outside. The subdued light, the scents and the robust forms - more pronounced by the falling leaves - combined with fruit and seed forms. I also collect basic materials from the garden during this season to use in my arrangements during the winter.'
Texture bouquet
An airy fixture of thick copper wire forms the basis for a rich autumn bouquet with graphic materials and distinct textures. The bouquet incorporates the following materials: Aralia, Physalis (lantern plant), Anthurium, rose hips, Crocosmia, Phormium, Rodgersia, Leonotis, Eucomis, Rudbeckia and Sorghum.
Tendril
Coconut palm bark is folded into a robust bowl; it acts as a stitching medium for red and green Amaranthus. Winding tendrils of vine (Ampelopsis) snake across the whole.
Bonsai
Fig leaves (Ficus carica) set on copper wire were attached to a 75-year-old Acer bonsai stem and lightly dusted with orange food powder. At the base of the trunk, bulb moss was placed with box fruits of Eucalyptus.
Grass Circle
On a black bowl rests an orchid root ball with floral foam blocks underneath. Fragile species drink from water tubes placed between the roots, the remaining materials are inserted through the root ball in OASIS Floral Foam. Flowers and grasses used: Cymbidium, Chasmanthium, Calamagrostis, Sorghum, Rudbeckia and Amaranthus.
Giant Leaf
In a matte copper-green glazed vase, a large leaf of Tetrapanax is placed on a fakir bed. Across the leaf, like tiny spiders, wander fluff of Clematis; Sorbus berries have also been placed. Tendrils of Ampelopsis provide subtle movement.