Sculpture art, statues and 3D wall panels representing nature, people, animals, objects, cultural concepts or ideas appear in a wide variety of interior or exterior settings. Usually defined as visual art created in three dimensions, a sculpture can be made from a range of different materials, such as stone, metal, glass, clay, wood, fibreglass, found objects or mixed media.
In early human history, sculpture art generally represented spiritual beings or cultural icons. As time went on, sculptors created statues of people to acknowledge those revered by society at the time. These days some of those people may not still be revered, but the sculptures stand as a testament to the cultural ideals of their era.
Modern sculpture art has evolved to convey abstract concepts as well as humans, animals or objects. Sculptures can attract interest, inspire awe, communicate ideas, recognise human achievements or make a social statement. Using advanced techniques and materials, a sculpture can become more than just a 3D object. It can form part of an overall experience designed to entertain, educate or inspire the viewer. Here at Natureworks, we know sculpture inside out and recognise its power to create memorable experiences.
Types of sculpture art
- Relief Sculpture – One of the oldest forms of sculpting to this day. Relief sculpture is done by carving the statue into a surface like wood, stone, or other materials. There are different kinds of relief sculptures:
- High Relief – The carving on this relief is more profound and creates a very three-dimensional effect
- Low Relief – Opposite of ‘High Relief’ – the depth of carving is only shallow and is considered the most common type of relief.
- Bas Relief – This is the same as ‘Low Relief’. The only difference is that it is derived from the Italian word ‘basso’ or the French word ‘bas’, which means low.
- Sunken Relief – An ancient technique used by Egyptians. This relief is done on a flat background surface to indicate linear edges and outlines.
- Counter Relief – This relief is between high and low relief. The depth of carving varies and is like the abstract version of both high and low relief, often used as a modern technique.
- Sculpture in the Round – Refers to a three-dimensional work that can be observed from a 360-degree perspective. These sculptures are mostly made of round-shaped stones, so they can be viewed from all angles.
- Carved Sculptures – Mostly created by using a material like wood or stone and carving the figure into a desirable form.
- Cast Sculptures – Pouring a liquid material like melted metal into a mould of a sculpted shape, to make it more solid and long-lasting.
- Additive Sculpture – Adding different materials or objects to build up the sculpture, such as adding lumps of clay, plaster or other materials.
- Subtractive Sculpture – Similar to ‘Carved Sculpture’ but the difference is the material is getting chunked out/carved out until it reaches the outcome form.
- Assembled Sculptures – Widely used to produce abstract sculptures assembled from different materials, which can include found objects, textiles, waste products or items from nature
- Modelled Sculptures – Similar to ‘Cast Sculptures’ but with a better choice of materials. Sculptors use their hands, tools, or machinery to create and refine a sculpture.
- Installation Sculpture Art – This refers to sculpture that is installed as part of an interior or exterior setting, usually formed by joining different pieces to produce the sculpture. One example of this is designing a floor using ceramic tiles and joining these pieces to form an artistic creation.
- Kinetic Sculpture Art – A form of kinetic art that uses movement perceivable by the viewer for its effect. This kind of sculpture can be done using mechanical or digital devices.
- Earthwork Sculptures – Formed and refined using naturally-formed rocks or woods found in nature, like mountains and forests. Because it can be hard to find materials like this (and it is often illegal to remove items from natural settings), Natureworks has created realistic replica sculptures of rocks and artificial trees for use in landscaping, nature parks, playgrounds and nature-themed displays.
Examples of sculpture art by Natureworks
The art of sculpting
There are many methods for creating sculpture art. Being a sculptor is not easy, but you can have a go if you have a few basic prerequisites, such as a suitable space and materials, as well as a bit of artistic flair! Below is a general overview of the process Natureworks follows for creating custom sculpture art, but bear in mind this may change depending on the materials and methods you use.
- Find a good workplace – You need a space where you can move around with ease and access your tools efficiently. If you’re creating a big piece of sculpture art, you need a big space!
- Use the proper tools – Sculpting requires the right tools like a chisel, brushes, hammers, rasps, grinder, etc. The variety of tools required depends on what type of sculpture you will work on and which materials you plan to use.
- Sketch your design – Once fully prepared, sketch your base model, which will be your reference for the work. It is recommended to sketch different angles and perspectives of your sculpture to help you build it in all three dimensions. You can do this on paper or use illustration and CAD modelling software. In some cases, you might want to create a scale model of your sculpture out of clay or an easy-to-shape material, which is like a 3D sketch to help you visualise the final result.
- Build an armature – For 3D-modelled sculptures, an armature is the ‘skeleton’, or supporting structure. The armature material would usually be made from a rigid but flexible material like wire. For sculptures that appear in public places or play areas where people might climb or sit on them, a steel armature strengthens the sculpture, making it safer and more durable.
- Adding filler to the armature – Once you finish your armature, it is time to add foundation. This is like putting solid structures around your armature, so it can be strengthened and you can start building your model. Filler materials can include wire mesh, papier mache, textiles or others, depending on the scale and purpose of the sculpture.
- Shaping your sculpture – When the base structure is ready, start adding your clay or other sculpting material (depending on what kind of sculpture you are creating), and form it into the basic shape of your model.
- Forming your sculpture – This is an essential part of sculpting where you put detail on each part of your model. Ensure you follow your sketch design correctly and then work on each part. You may add or remove some clay/material to ensure each detail of your work is appropriately formed.
- Texturing your sculpture – After forming your model, it is time to add textures to make your design more realistic or visually interesting. For example, you might add lines to represent hair, bumps to look like reptile scales, or abstract patterns and natural effects. Be sure to check different perspectives of your model and add the appropriate materials or design to each surface.
- Curing – Once you finish all the work in your sculpture, the model or clay needs to become hard to protect your statue from damage. The curing method you use will depend on the materials chosen.
- Moulding – If you are creating a Cast or Modelled sculpture using cast metal or fibreglass, you will use the model to create a mould at this stage. Naturally, this requires knowledge of casting or fibreglass construction, which are both areas that Natureworks is highly experienced in!
- Adding finishing touches – After curing and/or moulding, your sculpture is ready to add finer details like paint, gloss, and other touches to create the final outcome. Voila!
Frequently asked questions about sculpture art
What is the most important thing to consider?
When it comes to sculpting, there are many considerations. Form, texture, material, and balance are all significant factors. However, the most important thing to keep in mind is the purpose of the sculpture. What is the piece meant to convey? What feelings or emotions do you want to evoke? Once you have a clear idea of the message you want to communicate, the rest of the elements will fall into place. The aim will dictate the overall shape of the sculpture, while texture and material will affect the visual and tactile properties of the piece.
Balance is also crucial in creating a successful sculpture; too much or too little of any one element can throw off the entire composition. By considering all of these factors, you can create a customised sculpture that is both aesthetically pleasing and meaningful.
What materials are used for sculpture art?
A wide range of materials can be used for sculpting, depending on the artist’s desired effect and where the sculpture artwork will be placed. Some of the most common materials include wood, stone, metal, fibreglass and clay. Each material has its own unique properties that create different results. For example, wood is a versatile material that can be carved or chiselled into different shapes. Stone is a more durable material that is often used for large-scale sculptures, especially outdoors. Metal can be moulded into intricate designs or hammered into abstract shapes. Clay is relatively easy to work with and can be formed into a variety of shapes.
Fibreglass is flexible because it can be used to create very large sculptures made from sections, and once you create a mould you can make multiple copies of the sculpture. It’s the most common material used by Natureworks for animal sculptures, themed props and Big Thing sculptures, because of its versatility, durability, ease of working, variety of finishes available and low cost compared to other materials.
Ultimately, the choice of material will depend on the individual style and preferences of the sculpture artist as well as practical factors such as durability, security, safety and intended use.
What is the importance and value of sculpture art today?
Although typically thought of as a static medium, the best sculptures can be those that defy this expectation. A well-crafted sculpture can convey a sense of movement and energy, even when it is standing still. In addition, sculpture art can be used to create a sense of balance and harmony in a space. A strategically placed sculpture can completely transform the feel of a room, add interest to an otherwise bland landscape, or serve as a focal point in a garden.
Sculpture art can also make a statement or convey a particular message. At Natureworks, our clients use sculptures to attract attention, entertain visitors, educate or inform people, make them think, and generally provide memorable experiences. See our wide range of sculpture projects for ideas and inspiration.
Whether it is an elegant marble bust or a massive public installation, sculpture art has the power to capture the imagination and provoke thought. It can even be combined with the latest technologies such as augmented reality (AR) or holograms to create an immersive interactive 3D experience. For all these reasons, sculpture is an important and versatile art form.
It is lovely to see creative sculpture art in natural, commercial or cultural settings. Many of the pieces done by Natureworks help to preserve native and cultural histories too. Some of our sculpture art in museums aim to communicate historical information or raise awareness about biodiversity, nature conservation and cultural heritage.
For more information, call Natureworks, your sculpture experts on +61 7 3289 7555.
