How to Observe and Appreciate Sculpture Art

Sculptures are a major form of art dating back to ancient civilizations. Ancient sculptures were made of clay, wood, stone, metals and other precious materials. Modern sculptures are also made of these materials but also include materials such as plastic, glass, and other recyclable materials including junk. Sculptures take many forms including abstract shapes, life-size and portrait. They can be realistic and natural, or completely abstract and unrecognizable. Read on to learn how to observe and appreciate sculpture art.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A sculpture to view, observe and analyze
• A desire to learn about and appreciate sculpture art

1. 
   Washing Hair Day, stone sculpture made by Tonderai Mashaya

   Notice if the sculpture is made of wood or stone. Wood and stone sculptures are usually carved because both materials are not malleable (adaptable) and must be carved into the desired shape(s).

2. 
   Metal sculpture found in a city park

   See if the sculpture is made of metal. Metal sculptures are usually cast or assembled by welding or some other means of joining together scraps of metal.

3. 
   Lego sculpture

   Know that model sculptures are usually additive because they are built up from materials such as clay or plastics. The materials used to make model sculptures are usually soft and pliant so that they can be molded and shaped.

4. 
   Baby, mixed media sculpture by Lisa Kokin

   Realize that some sculptors opt to use a mixture of materials for a heterogeneous piece. Can you identify the materials used in this piece? Where are these materials used?

5. 
   Springs of Life, low relief sculpture, Modern Art Images

   Notice if the sculpture is freestanding, a completely rounded piece unattached with the exception of a base? Or is it a relief sculpture, which means that it may project from a surface that becomes part of the sculpture. Relief sculptures take three forms: high relief, low relief and sunken relief. High relief sculptures feature parts of the sculpture projecting far off from its background. Low relief sculptures have a slightly raised projection. Sunken relief sculptures are often ancient Egyptian. The imagery is carved into the surface with highest part of the relief being the flat surface.

6. Ask more questions. What is the style of the sculpture? Is it representative or non-representative? Representative sculptures are clear and obvious representations of the subject that they are supposed to represent. Non-representative sculptures are the opposite. They are sculptures that are not so clearly representative of the subject, and are often abstract or expressionist in form. If the sculpture is representative, is it realistic, naturalistic or idealized? While a sculpture that is representative of its subject may be clear about what it represents, it may not be an exact or natural image. A realistic sculpture is one which represents the subject as it is exactly in life. A naturalistic sculpture is one which is inspired by the physical appearance of its image in nature. Idealized sculptures strive for the perfect realization of a subject. These were often used in classical Greek sculptures.

7. What historical period or era does this sculpture recall? Is it a modern, or classical piece? Is it modern but recalls another era?

Tips & Warnings

• Observe sculptures in person at public exhibits in galleries and museums etc.
• Take your time in evaluating a piece. Take an in-depth approach to the sculpture.
• Read up on the exhibit beforehand if possible.