Franka Struys is a Dutch visual artist based in Lisbon, Portugal.

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After graduating in Economics in 1990 and pursuing a diplomatic career, she moved to Portugal and, in 2009, decided to dedicate herself fully to painting, studying at Ar.Co in Lisbon.

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Living in Colares since the late 1990s, Franka draws inspiration from the landscapes and rhythms of Portugal’s west coast. Her work explores the relationship between humans and nature, translating experiences of walking, observation, and contemplation into abstract paintings. Through a visual language of color, form, texture, and material, she seeks to simplify the complexity and uncertainty of contemporary life, creating spaces of balance, harmony, and reflection. Through her paintings, she invites viewers to slow down, reconnect with nature, and discover moments of contemplation and renewal.

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Working intuitively and gesturally, often on a large scale, Franka incorporates locally collected mineral pigments and natural elements into her paintings, allowing the physical presence of earth to become part of the work. She explores nature as an interconnected and dynamic whole in which humans are intrinsically embedded. Her recent body of work, “Resilient Transitions” (2026) reflects on adaptation, transformation, and continuity within change.

 

Since 2013, Franka’s work has been exhibited in Portugal and the Netherlands. She participated in the artist residency programs RAMA-Residencies (2021–2022) and Córtex Frontal (2025), both in Portugal. Her work can be found in municipal and private collections in Portugal and abroad. Franka develops collaborative projects and facilitates painting workshops.

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Artist CV