sculptures

Sculpture is a three-dimensional work of art created by shaping or assembling materials. It exists as a standalone object or is integrated into installations; sculptors use carving, modeling, casting, or construction to realize forms. Unlike relief sculpture, which is attached to a surface, sculpture in the round is designed to be viewed from multiple angles.

Traditional materials include stone, wood, bronze, and clay; more recently plastics, glass, concrete, and mixed media are common. Techniques include subtractive carving, additive modeling, casting, and construction; artists may employ welding, assemblage, or fabrication. Surface treatments such as patination or glazing are used to affect color and texture.

Throughout history, sculpture has served religious, commemorative, and aesthetic purposes. In ancient Egypt and Greece, stone figures complemented architecture; in the Renaissance, sculptors revived classical ideals. The 19th and 20th centuries introduced modernism, abstraction, and new materials, expanding sculpture beyond representational forms. Today, sculpture encompasses public monuments, gallery works, installation art, and performance-related practices.

Sculptures are presented indoors in museums and galleries or outdoors in public spaces. Conservation concerns include weathering, corrosion, structural stability, and vandalism; preservation often requires documentation, restoration, and environmental control.