10 Questions with Adele Frank
Adele Frank is a Hungarian fashion designer and artist with a distinguished career marked by innovation and versatility. Over the years, she has transitioned from sophisticated couture collections to conceptual forms of artistic expression. Her works have been showcased in nearly 50 exhibition and performances across prestigious venues, including embassies, art galleries, museums, and theaters in cities like London, Paris, Moscow, Budapest, and Pécs.
She has been honored with several accolades throughout her career, including the prestigious Victor Vasarely Art Award in 2014. In addition to her achievements in fashion and art, Adele Frank is also a member of the International Mensa Club, reflecting her intellectual and creative pursuits. Her expertise and dedication have positioned her as a leading figure in the fields of fashion and design.
Adele Frank - Portrait
ARTIST STATEMENT
Emotional Aesthetics – A New Emotional Dimension in the Search for Balance Between Timeliness and Timelessness
Adele Frank’s Ars Poetica explores the complex intersections of the contemporary art world and societal challenges. Her art deeply reflects on the emotional and political dimensions of human existence, highlighting the contradictions within the superficial reality of the modern world. In both her paintings and fashion designs, she unfolds the concept of emotional aesthetics, where beauty is not just a visual experience but also encompasses deeper emotional layers and social critique.
In her portrayal of female beauty, Adele Frank often draws attention to the vulnerability and suffering of modern women dictated by the beauty industry and societal expectations. Through her paintings, she reveals the internal tension between the pursuit of perfection and the alienated inner world. Her works depict the modern woman as a perfect yet suffering being caught in the crossfire of plastic surgery and unrealistic beauty ideals.
Her politically charged works address broader societal power structures and their impact on individuals. For Adele Frank, the nature of power and its abuses are just as central as the manipulation of female identity. Her creations highlight the ongoing struggle between power and morality and the larger forces at play that shape human existence, an eternal dilemma that defines our everyday lives.
Her critique of fast-changing trends, hyper-paced lifestyles, and societal expectations questions not only the female identity but also the superficiality of modern society. Adele Frank’s work offers an alternative path: the reclaiming of inner harmony, personal freedom, and autonomy. Her concept of emotional aesthetics carries the potential for art not only to reflect the world but also to offer alternative solutions for the modern individual.
The works of Adele Frank provide not only a visual experience but also spark an intellectual dialogue with the viewer, encouraging them to question the intentions behind social and political trends while discovering their own inner freedom and emotional balance.
AI and Fashion 1, Print on canvas, 80x80 cm, 2024 © Adele Frank
INTERVIEW
Could you introduce yourself and share what drew you to become a multidisciplinary artist and designer?
I am a fashion designer and artist. I have had almost 50 fashion shows (London, Paris, Moscow, Budapest, Pecs) exhibition-performances in embassies, art galleries, museums and theatres in the past more than 20 years. These events starred actresses, ballet dancers, and drag queens besides the models, always balancing between "Chic and Shock" andbetween "Prestige and Provocation". My paintings were exhibited in 2008, 2010, 2014, 2015 and 2021.
My collections are a mixture of elegant and extravagant elements, full of contemporary and historical references, and my aim is to create timeless, environmentally conscious, feminine, and unique pieces. For more details, please visit my website.
In my experience, women are significantly oppressed and exploited in society, particularly within the beauty and fashion industries. In my early works (the Modern Venus series and the Starving Beauty series), I sought to shed light on this issue. It felt self-evident to me that painting was the best medium to express these thoughts. While fashion does respond to social changes, it lacks the depth I wished to explore.
Your career began in couture fashion and evolved into a more conceptual art practice. What inspired this shift, and how do you see fashion and art intersecting in your work?
For me, clothes are ultimately products, whereas my paintings are manifestations of my political views. In my garments, historical inspiration has always played a prominent role. One of my main historical influences, which I experimented with for years, was the late 19th-century bustle. I spent a long time refining this garment technique until one day, the idea struck me, and I decided to incorporate it into jewelry and paintings. This led to the creation of cohesive yet unconventional and exciting twin productions.
You describe your artistic approach as "emotional aesthetics." Can you elaborate on how this philosophy shapes your creations across different mediums?
Fashion is the essence of timeliness, while paintings are expressions of timelessness. When I design garments, I aim to create them for eternity, but due to the nature of the medium, this is impossible. Perhaps this is why my work naturally connected with painting—allowing me to convey the same message or emotion through a more enduring channel. This connection formed a bridge between the two art forms, and through this duality, emotional aesthetics emerged.
Many of your works, such as The Modern Venus and The Starving Beauty series, critique societal norms and power dynamics. How do you balance artistry with activism in your pieces?
I view the world with a highly critical eye, and political and social issues and changes have a profound impact on me. I feel compelled to work through these influences, and this drive guides my creative process. Balance, as such, is not a central concern in my work.
Your exhibitions often include dramatic performances featuring dancers, drag queens, and other performers. What role does performance play in conveying your artistic vision?
I believe my garments are deeply feminine, and during presentations, I aim to convey this with the richest possible array of tools. Despite my feminine appearance, I possess many traditionally masculine traits, and I believe the expression of gender is a mix that varies in each of us. When I first met drag queens, I was fascinated by their extreme femininity, I felt that there could be nothing more expressive than them to convey the message of my designs. I feel the same way when it comes to ballerinas or classical music.
AI and Fashion 4., Print on canvas, 80x80 cm, 2024 © Adele Frank
Environmental consciousness and sustainability are core values of your brand. How do these principles influence your design choices and production processes?
We work exclusively with durable, natural materials. My guiding principle in design is the artistic combination of tradition and modernity, cultural heritage, and innovation. I aim to create pieces that remain relevant for decades, which is why my designs avoid fleeting fashion trends. One of my key goals is to craft garments that can be passed down or inherited, carrying their value and story into the future.
Your fashion collections incorporate innovative techniques, such as 3D sewing applications and AI-generated imagery. How do you approach blending tradition with cutting-edge technology?
The foundation of my collections is historical inspiration, which I build upon to develop my vision. When working on a piece, I always consider how it can be brought closer to today's world. To achieve this, I explore the possibilities offered by modern tools, whether it's AI, 3D printing, or a unique material. In doing so, I create a bridge between the past and the present, which, I hope, points toward the future.
You've said that your work is inspired by classical portrayals of femininity, like Botticelli's Venus and the Statue of Liberty. How do you reinterpret these icons for a modern audience?
I use these female archetypes because, in my opinion, the essence of women has not changed. Society evolves around them, but in today's world, even though women have been liberated, they often confine themselves behind invisible bars.
Your 2023 fashion show integrated AI-generated images. How do you see AI and digital tools shaping the future of fashion and art?
AI and similar tools will undoubtedly influence both fashion and the arts. To what extent this will happen, I cannot predict. However, one thing I am certain of is that art and creation will always require a soul. This is why I believe thathuman creativity will never be completely replaced.
Lastly, what are your plans for future projects, and are there any themes or mediums you're excited to explore next?
I am currently exploring ways to incorporate my crumpled sewing technique into sculptural installations, though the project is still in its early stages. Additionally, I'm collaborating with the Hungarian glovemaker Pécsi Kesztyű, where I'm reimagining gloves as a form of applied art. My aim is to elevate them into the jewelry of winter, transforming these everyday objects into statement pieces that combine functionality and artistry.
Artist’s Talk
Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.
