Flynn Matthews Christophe Guinet, also known as Monsieur Plant, showcases an intriguing excerpt from his unique botanical collection—a series called “Bonzaï Sneakers.” In this series, Bonsai trees are planted in sneakers, with their root systems visibly extending through the footwear. The Parisian artist’s work continues his playful exploration of how nature and footwear can merge to create whimsical art, a theme also seen in his “Sneakerium” and “Just Grow It” series. The plant sculptures in this project are reminiscent of the mangrove ecosystems that thrive along tropical and subtropical coastlines.
Monsieur Plant’s art consistently explores the concept of nature reclaiming man-made objects. He states, “It is poetic to see this nature take back what was once its own.” In each piece from “Bonzaï Sneakers,” a plant is entwined with a Nike shoe, with roots and foliage breaking through the leather, symbolizing nature’s resilience.
Guinet’s previous works similarly feature imaginative combinations where nature seamlessly integrates with art, giving discarded sneakers new life as plant hosts. In “Sneakerium,” he comments on life’s cyclical nature by creatively repurposing shoes in an “aquarium” filled with water, soil, and plants, thus recycling them into a new existence. Meanwhile, in “Just Grow It,” he reinterprets Nike’s famous slogan through sculptures shaped like sneakers made from vegetables and plants.
Project Information:
- Name: Bonzaï Sneakers
- Artist: Monsieur Plant (Christophe Guinet) | @monsieur_plant
