Mark McLeish treats flowers as material for telling stories
After more than a decade with ikebana, the mixed-media artist is moving between British hedgerows, handmade pots, poetry and jewellery that can become flower-arranging tools.
Mark McLeish, United Kingdom · Words by Flower Club International · 22 September 2026
Instagram: @unravelledmothBased in the United Kingdom, Mark McLeish is a mixed media artist whose work with flowers sits closest to ikebana.
How do you describe your work with flowers?
I am a mixed media artist and my work with flowers sits closest to ikebana. I see flowers as a material and a way to tell stories excavate feelings and connect with states of personhood.
How did your flower practice develop?
I have been practicing ikebana for over 10 years. Officially 3years ago by doing floristry courses with FROG flowers in Manchester, England. Here I build on my flower practice to learn installation and construction techniques.
What are you working on now?
Progressing a project making mixed media jewellery where off the body becomes tools for ikebana.
How do you approach making work?
Instinctive, exposing and reactive. its more about understanding a feeling I want, collecting objects and images that represent this, then using these as direct inspiration.
What materials interest you at the moment?
The British hedgerow utilising the first touch of autumn with colour, texture and decay. Making my own pots.
What informs your work beyond flowers?
Poetry, I read a lot, annotation the meeting point of words and my lived experiences.
What have flowers taught you?
Be in the moment. Really see the wonder of what's in front of you and how you transform a connected space.
What would you tell other flower people?
Remember to take the time to just make for yourself, make your inspiration tangible and not digital, collaborate with others from different fields.
“Make your inspiration tangible and not digital.”