sculptor

A sculptor is an artist who creates three-dimensional works by shaping, carving, casting, or assembling materials such as stone, metal, clay, wood, plaster, or synthetic substances. Sculptors may work as solo practitioners or as part of studios, and their works can be standalone objects, reliefs, or large-scale public commissions.

Sculpture techniques vary by material and tradition. Subtractive carving removes material from a block or stone; modeling adds material such as clay or wax; casting creates a metal reproduction from a mold; and construction or assemblage joins disparate parts into a sculpture. Contemporary practice often incorporates technology, computer-aided design, 3D printing, and integrated lighting or sound.

Training and practice: Many sculptors study at art schools or universities with a focus on sculpture, form, anatomy, and materials; some learn through workshops or apprenticeships. The craft relies on mastery of form, proportion, texture, and space, and it frequently involves collaboration with foundries, fabricators, or engineers for larger works. Works may be exhibited in galleries, museums, or public spaces, and commissions from institutions or municipalities are common.

History and scope: Sculpture has deep historical roots—from stone carvings in ancient Egypt and Greece to bronze casting in Asia and the Renaissance revival of classical form. In the modern era, artists such as Auguste Rodin, Constantin Brancusi, Henry Moore, Alberto Giacometti, and Isamu Noguchi expanded the medium through abstraction and new materials. Today sculptors pursue a wide range of approaches, from traditional representational work to conceptual and installation-based practice.