Paz Sanz Fle

Paz Sanz Fle (Zaragoza, Spain) is a Spanish visual artist known for her sculptures exploring femininity, inner strength and human connection. She grew up in Zaragoza, surrounded by dry landscapes, ochre-coloured earth and rock formations shaped by erosion. After living in the Netherlands for many years, she eventually returned to Spain. These different landscapes and cultures form an important backdrop to her work. At Studio Co van der Horst, you can discover a selection of sculptures by Paz Sanz Fle, including impressive life-size female figures.

Clay is an essential material in the work of Paz Sanz Fle. Her sculptures are deliberately restrained in colour and possess what she describes as a ‘black spirit’. Rather than referring to origin or ethnicity, this represents universality: regardless of our background or identity, her figures could represent any one of us. Their closed eyes turn the gaze inward. Appearance becomes secondary to inner strength, serenity and character. Within her body of work, the African woman is an important symbol of strength, joy and determination.

Female sculptures by Paz Sanz Fle

The female figure is a recurring theme throughout the work of Paz Sanz Fle. During the sculpting process, she searches for moments of peace and clarity. Her women are neither idealised nor distant. Instead, they are firmly rooted in everyday life, shaped by experiences, emotions and relationships, while embodying many different roles at once: daughter, mother, partner, lover, friend and caregiver.

It is precisely this sense of complexity that gives her sculptures their distinctive strength. Closed eyes, understated poses and organic forms create a feeling of stillness, while their often generous scale gives the works a powerful physical presence. Many sculptures by Paz Sanz Fle are life-size. Despite the apparent fragility of the material, many of her works are also frost-resistant and therefore suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments.