Estella Fransbergen, born in South Africa, has been educated in the Netherlands, South Africa, Italy and America. She has exhibited in numerous Galleries and Museums in Florida and internationally in Florence, Italy. The Daytona Museum of Art has one of Estella’s art pieces in their permanent collection.

Estella rapidly grew from functional pottery after feeling the earth move through her hands as she was molding clay. This drew her to nature and she now considers herself a sculptress. “We are so far removed from nature that we are broken, not whole anymore. To become whole again, you must listen to your inner self and return to Nature.” Estella was somehow drawn to the female form and the ancient art of Raku. Her work is born from the earth, the wood and the fire. She truncates at the shoulders of her sculptures because “It confuses everybody the torso is the soul.”

Over time, Estella has taken her clay Raku ceremony and now creates one of a kind traditional bronze pieces. She uses traditional patinas with precious and semi precious stones in her work. Estella has a unique way of blending the traditional components to create temporary artistry.

Through her hands and soul a unique piece has been born. This piece remains unnamed. The naming is for the soul who resonates with its meaning, who is drawn by the depths of their heart to how the piece speaks to them. Finally, the earth has given back to a soul.