Estella Fransbergen: Le Femme Gems and Candlelight
“These works are about the beauty of nature while also paying reverence to the female form,” says Fransbergen.
Renowned for her evocative sculptural works that celebrate the beauty and strength of the female form, Fransbergen brings together artistry and elegance through her signature torsos, adorned with exquisite gemstones. Each sculpture is meticulously hand-sculpted in clay or porcelain, embodying the artist’s devotion to craftsmanship and her reverence for nature’s splendor. She uses high-fired white and yellow gold overglaze/raku fired/horsehair patina to create masterful surfaces that resonate with emotion and feeling. Some of the pieces stand on pedestals, with the wire and gems hanging down like a dress or garment, while others are suspended from the ceiling, creating an almost spiritual feel that frees the work from the confines of gravity.
“These works are about the beauty of nature while also paying reverence to the female form,” says Fransbergen. The torsos represent the strength while the gemstone show the beauty, delicacy and elegance of the female form. The wire represents the organized chaos we feel as women as we are pulled into so many directions. And the gemstones are from the earth, so we are celebrating Mother Nature at the same time.”
In La Femme, Fransbergen’s pieces come alive through a masterful combination of materials—patinas, high-fire glazes, white gold, bronze, and casted glass, each delicately embellished with aquamarine, amethyst, rose quartz, lapis, pearls, rubies, and select European crystals. When illuminated by light, these works transport the viewer into a realm of ethereal beauty, casting shimmering reflections and intricate shadows that evoke both intimacy and wonder.
Featuring all new works, this exhibition serves as a tribute to the resilience and grace of women, as well as the timeless beauty found within the earth’s natural treasures. Each piece—composed of thousands of individually placed stones- reveals a harmony between strength and delicacy, form and spirit.
Show Opening Thursday, January 11th, 2026
Time: 6:00-9:00 pm
Location: Bonner David Scottsdale
7040 E. Main Street Scottsdale, AZ 85251