William Sweetlove – Sunday Handbag, 2016 – Bronze

Recycled bronze - stand size: 45x40x40cm - handbag size: 40x35x25 - total weight: 60kg

Sunday Handbag by William Sweetlove is a bronze sculpture that playfully subverts everyday objects with a touch of surrealism. This metallic piece features a detailed handbag resting atop a sturdy plinth, its surface gleaming with the refined finish of recycled bronze. Emerging from the bag are unconventional items, including a wine bottle, large leaves, and a tall cactus, transforming the handbag into a vessel of unexpected contents. Sweetlove’s work often addresses themes of consumerism and environmental awareness, and Sunday Handbag appears to suggest a narrative around modern lifestyles and material culture, perhaps critiquing or celebrating the eccentricities of human behavior. The contrasting elements of nature and consumer goods in this 60 kg sculpture create a sense of irony and contemplation.

William Sweetlove (Belgium, 1949) is a contemporary sculptor and member of the Cracking Art Group. His vibrant, often oversized animal sculptures, crafted from recycled materials, address themes of environmental sustainability and climate change. Sweetlove's works have been exhibited internationally, emphasizing the impact of human activity on nature.

William Sweetlove

Sunday Handbag, 2016

Name: Sunday Handbag, 2016
Brand: William Sweetlove
SKU: 3886
Price: 9900.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

Form

Sculpture / Object

Sculpture / ObjectA sculpture is a three-dimension object made using any one of the basic sculpting processes. These include carving, casting, constructing or modeling. Carving materials may be bone, ivory, stone or wood. Modeling and casting use clay or wax, while constructions glue materials together.

Medium

Bronze

BronzeBronze is a metal alloy made primarily of copper and tin, with a typical modern composition of 88% copper and 12% tin. Over time, bronze develops a patina, a surface color that often turns deep green due to oxidation. Large bronze objects, such as sculptures, are typically made in foundries. Bronze is valued for its durability and has been widely used throughout history for art, tools, and weapons.

Edition

Unique work

Authenticity Guaranteed
Insured Shipping
Online Since 2005

●Inventory 3886

●Signed

Sculpture / Object

Porcelain

Currently Not Available

Cloned blue (...), 2007

Sculpture / Object

Sold

Cloned GOLD (...), 2010

Sculpture / Object

Sold

Art is not a message, art is art, but if you have a message, why not?
- William Sweetlove

William Sweetlove (b. 1949 Belgium) is a Belgian contemporary artist known for his thought-provoking and humorous sculptures that often address themes of consumerism, environmental issues, and the human impact on nature. Sweetlove’s work is characterized by his use of vibrant colors, enlarged everyday objects, and a playful, surreal aesthetic. He is best known for his series of brightly colored animal sculptures, particularly dogs, penguins, and turtles, often depicted with water bottles, boots, or other accessories attached to them. These whimsical yet poignant sculptures are part of his collaboration with the Cracking Art Group, a collective that uses recycled plastic to create artworks with an ecological message. Sweetlove’s art serves as a commentary on the excesses of modern society and the urgent need for sustainability, while also engaging viewers with its accessible and humorous approach. His work has been exhibited internationally, and he is recognized as an important figure in contemporary ecological art, blending environmental activism with pop art sensibilities. (Artist website)

Popular, Collecting - July 23, 2025

Sculpture Care and Display: From Plinths to Pedestals in Your Home

Learn how to display and care for sculpture at home—from lighting tips to material care—so your art can truly shine in any space.Read More

Popular, Collecting - September 26, 2023

How Will Art Develop in the Future?

Explore the future of art with insights on technology, eco-conscious practices, global influences, and evolving creative trends. Discover what’s next by 2030.Read More

Art Movements - August 1, 2024

The Environmental Impact of Art: Exploring Eco-Friendly Practices in Contemporary Galleries

Explore the environmental impact of art! Learn how contemporary galleries adopt eco-friendly practices, from sustainable materials to reducing carbon footprints.Read More

What is the Cracking Art Group?

This Italian art movement includes artists from Italy, Belgium, and France who are known for creating public installations using recyclable plastic to craft massive animal sculptures. The artwork explores the rupture between the synthetic and natural worlds, with the plastic construction symbolizing the synthetic, and the animal forms representing the natural world.

Explore »

Language & Currency

William Sweetlove