Sculpture

Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble – or metal, glass, or wood. Softer (" plastic") materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals. The term has been extended to works including sound, text and light.

Materials may be worked by removal such as carving; or they may be assembled such as by welding, hardened such as by firing, or molded or cast. Surface decoration such as paint may be applied. Sculpture has been described as one of the plastic arts because it can involve the use of materials that can be moulded or modulated. Found objects may be presented as sculptures.

Sculpture is an important form of public art. A collection of sculpture in a garden setting may be referred to as a sculpture garden.

Even today, although continuously evolving, sculpture is still the leading method of expressing and commemorating both historical figures and events.

Some common forms of sculpture are:

• Free-standing sculpture, sculpture that is surrounded on all sides, except the base, by space. It is also known as sculpture " in the round", and is meant to be viewed from any angle;

• Sound sculpture;

• Light sculpture;

• Jewellery or Jewelry

• Relief – the sculpture is attached to a background; types are bas-relief, alto-relievo, and sunken-relief;

• Site-specific art;

• Kinetic sculpture – involves aspects of physical motion;

• Fountain – the sculpture is designed with moving water;

• Mobile;

• Statue – representationalist sculpture depicting a specific entity, usually a person, event, animal or object;

• Bust – representation of a person from the chest up;

• Equestrian statue – typically showing a significant person on horseback;

• Stacked art – a form of sculpture formed by assembling objects and 'stacking' them;

• Architectural sculpture;

• Environmental sculpture;