Sculpture Empowers Interior Designer's Breast Cancer Battle
No one is prepared to hear the words, "you have cancer," and for interior designer, Amy Halffman of Seattle, Wash., the words were a tearful reminder of her mother's battle with breast cancer several years ago. In January, Halffman was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, and a month later her sister received a breast cancer diagnosis as well. She underwent a double mastectomy in July, and daily finds power and strength through a custom sculpture by Estella Fransbergen that embodies the beauty of reconstruction and femininity.
WALEKA, Fla., Oct. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- No one is prepared to hear the words, "you have cancer," and for interior designer, Amy Halffman of Seattle, Wash., the words were a tearful reminder of her mother's battle with breast cancer several years ago. In January, Halffman was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, and a month later her sister received a breast cancer diagnosis as well. With her type of cancer, chemo treatment is not a guarantee to eliminate all of the disease, and a double mastectomy has a higher success rate.
"You're never truly prepared to walk down cancer's path, even when you've seen loved ones battle the disease," said Halffman, who underwent her double mastectomy in July. "Between chemo and surgery and a global pandemic, there's been a lot of pain, uncertainty and internal struggle that's taken place, but through the support of family and friends we're making it through."
One friend in Halffman's corner is Florida-based sculptor and artist, Estella Fransbergen, who is best known for her sculptures of women's bodice's, accented with intricately draped natural gemstones. In late 2019, the two women worked together on a sculpture for Halffman. It was completed and delivered to her Seattle home in February, after her diagnosis. The sculpture features a Raku-fired clay bodice with Swarovski crystals, black and white pearls and quartz stones embellishments delicately hand-placed to create a skirt.
After receiving her sculpture, Halffman named her "Grace," because it was a reminder of the grace and beauty of the female form before, during and after changes. "I've always found Estella's work to be stunning, but looking at my Grace each day that I've gone through my journey, has helped me recognize the beauty in reconstruction; it speaks so much to me about strength, maternal feelings, beauty and sensuality."
Surgery for a double mastectomy can take weeks and be painful through the recovery process, but just as her sculpture Grace rose from the flames of Estella's workshop in Florida, Halffman is emerging stronger and more resilient than before. "The gemstones used in each sculpture have a meaning, and for Halffman's Grace sculpture, the pearls are a symbol of wisdom gained through experience," said Estella. "The beauty of the sculptures speak to a lot of women going through breast cancer. In some cases, they may feel like they lost some of their femininity, but when they look at my sculpture it makes them feel beautiful and gives them positive energy."
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About Sculptures by Estella
Estella's sculptures are completely unique in color and form, and each gemstone is hand-picked and hand-placed by Estella to complete the customize look. Estella's been working with natural gemstones since 2004 and began creating the sculptures commonly known as the "girls" around the same time. Her pieces are sold in galleries nationwide and designers may contact her directly for commissioned pieces, http://www.EstellaFransbergen.com. She is based in central Florida and a member of the ASID and IIDA.
SOURCE Estella Fransbergen
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