Debra Franses

Debra Franses (born 1967) is an artist from Great Britain who has made a name for herself with so-called "Artbags". Her handbag sculptures made of transparent epoxy resin reveal the inside of the bag, where the artist arranges selected objects into a weightless snapshot. Debra's work is often equated with a sophisticated art version of the "selfie." The artist describes the selection and arrangement of the individual items inside as a glimpse into her soul. Each bag tells a story of someone she has met, where she has been, or what she has seen in a place in the world. "Every event, every encounter leaves a trace that inspires my artistic work," Franses says. With a keen sense, the artist gives form to conceptual ideas, tells stories or portrays personalities, desires and wishes in her art. The results are fascinating sculptures with many facets: sometimes provocative, sometimes thoughtful, sometimes funny or sensual.