Toronto-based artist and sculptor Sophie Defrancesca creates lifelike wire mesh sculptures of dresses, gowns and other figurative works that are capable of fooling the eye from a distance. Her finely twined bodices, adorned with Swarovski crystals, fit exhibition spaces as easily as they would a fashion runway.
DeFrancesca was ten years old when her mother passed away, leading to an interest in maternal figures. An immigrant who fled wartime Europe, DeFrancesca’s mother was resilient and fashionable, often captured in photographs wearing beautiful clothing handmade by family members. As a child, DeFrancesca used these pictures to create clothing for her dolls, both as a way of remembering her mother and to engage with her fascination with vintage apparel. DeFrancesca later graduated in 1990 from the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD) and in the early 2000s, she began using wire mesh as a design material to examine rigidity in fashion and the role of femininity. She shaped the galvanized steel mesh into life-size human forms.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, she has expanded her practice into laser-cut plexiglas to allow for more intricate detailing that furthers the illusion. She has exhibited in group and solo shows across North America, including at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies in Banff, Alberta; the Sheldon Museum of Art in Lincoln, Nebraska; and at various spaces in Toronto, Montreal, New York and Miami. Her 2022 exhibitions included shows at the Newzones Gallery Of Contemporary Art in Calgary and the Oeno Gallery in Prince Edward County, Ontario.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Sophie DeFranesca’s sculptures and mixed media.
Blue Aphrodite
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Original Blonde Bombshell (Variation 2)
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Iconic Marilyn in Iridescent Gold 3
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Rebirth of Venus
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Ms. Universal Love
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Garnet Red Aphrodite
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Control of the Masses 22
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Atomic Pink
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Blue Moon
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Golden Era
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Champagne Celebration
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Ms. Universal Peace (variation 2)
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Vintage Cameo
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Control of the Masses 20
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Just Too Much
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Big Hair Big Dreams
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Control of the Masses 16
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Control of the Masses 17
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Buck Berry
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Breakfast at Tiffany's (Variation 5)
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Ms. Parallel Universe
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Solar Radiance
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Midas Touch
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Sun King
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Forest Swag
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Primal Blue
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Black Venus
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Control of the Masses 14
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Blondes Have More Fun
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Restored POG Chainmail
By Joshua Goode
Located in New York, NY
Inspired by amateur archaeologists such as Heinrich Schliemann who discovered Troy and by past elaborate hoaxes like that of the Piltdown Man, Joshua travels the world performing sta...
Mixed Media
Fortress America
By Kat Flyn
Located in New Orleans, LA
assemblage sculpture: vintage wood fort with hand-painted graffiti, a vintage handmade wood carving of Uncle Sam & Trump, confederate flag scrap blindfold, metal chains, 4 vintage fl...
Mixed Media
$2,000
H 28 in W 16 in D 7 in
Hope (3/30) - Joyful Figurative Mixed Media Sculpture with Glossy Yellow Balloon
By Nayla Saroufim
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nayla Saroufim’s contemporary sculptures translate optimism into form. Her works feel playful at first glance, then quietly persistent the longer you live with them. Working in metal...
Metal, Steel
$525
H 13 in W 6 in D 3 in
Mini Hope (11/55) - Figurative Table or Desk Sculpture with Glossy Red Balloon
By Nayla Saroufim
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nayla Saroufim’s contemporary sculptures translate optimism into form. Her works feel playful at first glance, then quietly persistent the longer you live with them. Working in metal...
Metal, Steel
Marc Sijan "Security Guard" Sculpture
By Marc Sijan
Located in Boston, MA
Artist: Sijan, Marc Title: Security Guard Date: 2024 Medium: Polyresin with oil paint and mixed media Signature: Signed lower leg Edition: Unique ...
Resin, Mixed Media, Oil
$2,900
H 8 in W 6 in D 6 in
Capturing Moments - Contemporary Solid Bronze Modern Figurative Table Sculpture
By Mireia Serra
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mireia Serra’s "Capturing Moments" is a contemporary bronze sculpture that merges figurative art with symbolic storytelling. The piece features a small, pensive figure perched atop a...
Metal, Bronze
$45,000
H 52 in W 18 in D 16 in
Linda Stein, Vestment 628 - Contemporary Mixed Media Metal Wood Armor Sculpture
By Linda Stein
Located in New York, NY
Vestment 628 from Linda Stein’s Knights of Protection series functions both as a defender in battle and a symbol of pacifism. The series references popular and religious icons such ...
Metal
$1,100
H 14 in W 5 in D 3.5 in
Charlie - Mixed Media Sculpture, Contemporary Style, 2010s
By Paul Duval
Located in Bloomfield, ON
Quebec artist Paul Duval has captured the essence of human characters with his uniquely charming series of table top sculptures. Charlie stands tall and lean, hand-formed in wire and...
Mixed Media
Marc Sijan "Pinky" Hyper realistic Sculpture
By Marc Sijan
Located in Boston, MA
Artist: Sijan, Marc Title: Pinky Date: 2024 Medium: Polyresin with oil paint and mixed media Signature: Signed lower leg Edition: Unique Variant Marc Sijan (born 1946) is a Se...
Resin, Mixed Media, Oil
Tiger Head
By Jordy Kerwick
Located in London, GB
Jordy Kerwick Tiger Head, 2024 Mixed media 73 x 82 x 50 cm 28 3/4 x 32 1/4 x 19 3/4 inches ordan Kerwick’s gritty, thickly impastoed paintings range from haunting figurative portra...
Mixed Media
$45,000
H 51 in W 15 in D 7 in
American Contemporary Mixed Media Sculpture - Linda Stein, Knight of Dreams 531
By Linda Stein
Located in New York, NY
This sculpture from Linda Stein’s Knights of Protection series functions both as a defender in battle and a symbol of pacifism. The series references popular and religious icons suc...
Stone, Metal
$45,000
H 78 in W 23 in D 6 in
Linda Stein Bold Quest- Contemporary Mixed Media Colorful Wonder Woman Sculpture
By Linda Stein
Located in New York, NY
This sculpture from Linda Stein’s Knights of Protection series functions both as a defender in battle and a symbol of pacifism. The series references popular and religious icons suc...
Archival Ink, Mixed Media, Acrylic Polymer, Archival Paper
The Blue Buck
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Iconic Marilyn in Iridescent Gold 2
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Montreal, Quebec
Toronto artist Sophie DeFrancesca has always been fascinated by vintage fashion. Pictures of her mother wearing gorgeous frocks from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s served as a connection to...
Mixed Media
Blue Lagoon
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Bloomfield, ON
With the addition of deep blue lagoon pigment the artist has transformed galvanized steel mesh, wire and liquid latex into an elegant evening dress. This g...
Metal
Control of the Masses No 25
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Bloomfield, ON
Galvanized steel mesh, wire, metal screen and liquid rubber are transformed into a lingerie confection with the addition of black paint, pearl beads and dangling grey Swarovski cryst...
Mixed Media
True Blue
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Bloomfield, ON
Galvanized steel mesh, wire and brilliant turquoise liquid latex are transformed into a life sized trophy head of a buck in this wall mounted sculpture. In mythology, the stag may re...
Steel
Eternal Deep
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Bloomfield, ON
Playful sculpture of the iconic trophy of a majestic moose head. This work is lifesized, and the scale (including the shadlow) gives the work great presence. Toronto-based artist,...
Stainless Steel
Higher Love
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Bloomfield, ON
An elegant formal white sculpture of a wedding dress that references desire, marriage, elegance and confidence. Defrancesca's forms are rendered out of galvanized and stainless s...
Stainless Steel
A Star is Born
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Bloomfield, ON
Toronto-based artist, Sophie Defrancesca graduated from the Ontario College of Art (now OCAD University) in 1990. While working in various commercial art fields for over a decade, sh...
Stainless Steel
Mademoiselle Extraordinaire
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This mixed media sculpture of a spaghetti-strap cocktail dress by Sophie DeFrancesca conjures up an image of an idealized life women may have enjoyed in 1950s Paris or Hollywood. The playful little red...
Stainless Steel
Avec Plaisier
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This saucy sculpture hangs suspended on clear lines. Toronto-based artist, Sophie DeFrancesca graduated from the Ontario College of Art (now OCAD University) in 1990. While workin...
Stainless Steel
Skin Deep
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Bloomfield, ON
This elegant and evocative teal sculpture floats in space, suspended on two clear lines. Toronto-based artist, Sophie Defrancesca graduated from the Ontario College of Art (now O...
Stainless Steel
Midnight Whispers
By Sophie DeFrancesca
Located in Bloomfield, ON
Wall-mounted dress, part of DeFrancesca's gown series. Rich blue black paint sparkles in the light. Handcrafted roses adorn the wire mesh gown sculpture. The shadow becomes an intere...
Steel