Works
Overview

 

My sculptures reflect my total life experience. Born and raised in South Africa, studied art in the Netherlands, I now reside in the heartland of the United States. These experiences have exposed me to cultural diversity and the beauty of nature. My work is the expression of the human form and the embodiment of beauty entwined with the powers of Nature."

- Estella Fransbergen

Video
Biography

Born and raised in South Africa, Fransbergen studied art in the Netherlands before moving to the United States.  She learned from artist workshops and has been inspired by the work of Salvador Dali.  Living on three different continents, that variety has impacted her work as she has witnessed Mother Nature which is why she employs clay and the very stones that nature has created.  All art influences her subconsciously, which is why she spends a great deal of time in nature, isolated from the cacophony of urban sounds which can overwhelm her.

Prior to being an artist, her experiences as a professional woman taught her that the role of women was not an easy one.  Today, she uses the female form to show the strength of women, who can simultaneously be strong without losing their sense of playfulness and femininity. 

She draws from the inspiration of Mother Nature, the one who gives life, is nurturing and forgiving, while at the same time can be unpredictable and harsh.  Fransbergen has learned to respect nature as the source of our existence.

In celebration of the human form, she begins with simple clay and sculpts the torso using the coil building technique.  The simplicity of the torso captures the essence of the soul.  That, together with the primitive firing techniques of sawdust and Raku, brings her back to her South African roots.  The beauty of the colors in the clay is created by the intensity of the fire.  Each torso comes from the fire with a uniqueness all its own.  This element of surprise and individuality celebrates the human form.

She dresses this naked form using feathers, branches, leaves, and gemstones, both semi-precious and rare, formed over millions of years.  Science tells us that each stone has a symbolic meaning.

Fransenbergen’s work is in permanent collections on the Ritz Carlton Yacht collection ILMA, the Tillman Fertitta private super yacht, the Science & Art Museum in Daytona Beach, FL and the Marietta Museum of Art and Whimsy in Sarasota, FL along with numerous private collections.