NELSON x ANGUS
Q. Hi @z___i___a___n can you tell us a bit about yourself? What are you currently doing and how has your
growing up years influenced your outlook on life or brought you to this current place?
- Hi, I’m Nelson, and I’m an artist. My work spans various mediums, from floristry and
tablescapes to photography, art direction, content curation, motion images, and painting.
Currently, I’m freelancing after transitioning from a full-time role at a gallery. Growing up, I
was always drawn to nature, art, and the people around me, and that curiosity about the
world led me here. Working full-time in a creative space had its challenges, and at times, the
expectations and pressures of the industry felt overwhelming. However, I’ve learned that
trusting my instincts and staying true to my sensitivity is what drives me. I want to create with
purpose and build genuine connections.
Q. How do you like to express yourself creatively? We know you paint, put together
beautiful arrangements and also document snippets of your life, are there any other
ways in which you express yourself?
- I love expressing myself through floristry, painting, and photography. I enjoy how everything
can come together—whether it’s nature’s beauty in an arrangement or sharing small
moments of my life. Sometimes, I find peace in just clearing a space. I’d happily clean
someone’s house if it paid well, haha! Creativity also comes through in quiet moments of
reflection, where I let my thoughts guide me. I believe everything has a story, and I just try to
capture that in whatever way feels right.
Q. @z___i___a___n what brought you to taking up tablescapes and floral arrangements? What are the key
elements in your work?
- Floristry and tablescapes felt like a natural way to bring life to spaces and create moments of
connection. Social media and inspiring florists from around the world have also influenced
me. I love creating spaces for people to come together, whether simple or elaborate. My
work focuses on simplicity and nature—using items like garlic bulbs, mushrooms, king
chillies, yam, and fruits like mulberries and figs, which reflect both life and the foods and
plants I grew up with.
Q. Foraging is a recurring element in your work—what keeps drawing you to it?
- Foraging feels like a beautiful, direct connection to nature. It’s not just about picking flowers
or plants—it’s about sustainability and mindfulness. I also try to use potted plants more than
market flowers to be more environmentally conscious. I love recycling flowers and plants
from old arrangements too. After finishing an arrangement, we often take home what we
can—like the parsley and tree tomatoes from this time—and cook or eat it. We made a
lovely salad with the parsley, enjoyed with friends, and it felt so special to enjoy something
that had been part of the arrangement. It’s a simple way to honor the earth and make the
most of what we have, long after the flowers are gone.
Q. @z___i___a___n how do you plan an arrangement? What’s your starting point and what guides you when you work on it?
- I always start by considering the space and the feeling I want to evoke. I think about colors,
textures, and natural elements that will create that mood—whether it’s something simple like
parsley, symbolizing fresh growth, or something a bit more intricate. My process is intuitive; I
let the materials speak to me. Whether it’s the shape of the table, the colors of the flowers,
or the linens, it’s all about finding a balance between thoughtful planning and creative
freedom.
Q. What are your favourite memories around the table?
- Whenever friends and people had taken the time to let me know they appreciate it. It always
makes me feel truly happy and adds so much more to the experience. With Folkpants,
it was the experience of being with friends who shared a meaningful connection. Rin, with
his beautiful creations and direction throughout the process, and Angus, who documented the whole experience, made the moment truly special.
Q. Hi @angus.guite how did you come into photography and what has kept you taking pictures till now?
- I’ve always been a visual person, even as a kid. I believe it was my love for films and moving images that initially drew me in. As I’ve grown as both an artist and a person, I’ve explored and learned about many visual mediums. Photography never really gets old for me—I learn something new about it every day, constantly exploring and seeking fresh perspectives. Most importantly, it’s the stories I want to tell through the lens that keep me going.
Q. Nostalgia is a recurring theme in your work, be it in your writing and in your photography. How does it inspire you to create?
- There’s a saying in my language: “Zohnahthlak te chu mi lungleng mi ihi ua maw”, which translates to “The Zos are sentimental and nostalgic people.” I think I inherently carry that within me, as someone who comes from the Zo Highlands (lol). I love exploring my memories and romanticizing them—not necessarily out of longing for the past, but as a search or quest for something further beyond, maybe it’s an intangible thing. But also I believe memories and nostalgia connect people together as they are shared collective sentiments, it’s something which is universal.
Q. @angus.guite what is your creative process like usually? How do you tackle a brief vs how you like to create?
- It changes a lot and it depends on the project, sometimes I write everything down and then start creating no matter how long the project lasts, other times I just shoot as much as I can because I also believe in having quantity as a way to get quality.
- Tackling briefs with people are super hard as I am only learning as well. I try to stay calm as much as possible and be in a zen mode and pray everything is done professionally haha.
Q. Who or what is your dream subject?
- I have so many dream projects—I can’t wait to start working on fashion films and create my first photo book. But more than anything, I can’t wait to take a long vacation, go home, and finish my ongoing documentary about home and the people there.
Q. @angus.guite you are an excellent host and love to cook for friends and loved ones. What are your favourite memories around the table?
- I love the memories I have when all my loved ones are together. We’d cook as a group, doing everything from grocery shopping to peeling garlic side by side. Cozy nights with glasses clinking, second servings passed around, and no one in a rush to leave. We only have so little time to love and appreciate each other—and those moments remind me to cherish it all.
Floral arrangements @z___i___a___n
Photography @angus.guite
