Premier rendez-vous de la rentrée de Caractères Paris avec William Amor, artiste autodidacte dont la caractéristique est de travailler les matières délaissées. C’est dans son nouvel atelier du 10ème arrondissement que je suis accueilli par le regard bleu profond et l’immense sourire de William ainsi que son agent Valérie Henry.
After crossing a courtyard of a former factory converted into workshops and business spaces, I climb two flights of stairs to enter the studio where William and his collaborator, Marion, work. I find myself immersed in a winter garden where roses mingle with poppies and other flowers. Upon closer inspection, it becomes difficult to identify the material of the petals without William’s explanation.
These flowers are, in fact, made from recycled plastic, appearing more lifelike than nature itself. William developed his technique through years of self-study, experimenting with traditional craftsmanship skills such as glass art and fashion adornment, applying them to neglected materials like plastic. By developing these techniques for waste materials, the artist elevates discarded objects into works of art.
Through this material transformation, turning waste into symbols of beauty, William calls on viewers to rethink their behavior toward pollutants and invites them to reconsider their perspective on everyday objects, encouraging a shift in how we treat nature.
William’s work is used in various contexts, from event installations to window displays and jewelry adornments. Prestigious brands such as Kenzo and Guerlain have already sought his creative expertise.
Paris, August 29, 2019