What Makes Sculpture a Unique Artform?

Suppose you’re already a sculptor or interested in becoming one. In that case, you probably already have many thoughts and ideas about what is so special about sculpting and why it interests you more than other forms of art. But many people don’t realize just how unique this art form is and why it is truly remarkable.

Have you ever thought about adding a sculpture or two to your home? If you are trying to create a luxurious space that feels special, premium, perhaps even expensive, sculpture could be just what you are looking for.

Many sculptures are one-off pieces created by artists who wish to add a touch of elegance to the homes of those who put a more significant amount of thought into the spaces that they inhabit. The artist Dorit Levinstein is one such artist, and Angelo Accardi is another name worth keeping an eye out for if you are interested in finding the perfect piece for your home.

There is nothing wrong with adding other art forms to your home – beautiful paintings, pieces created on canvas, and mixed media art are all exciting items that will add a touch of luxury to your home. But sculpture somehow goes a step further. Why?

Beth Goldowitz has a BFA in sculpture and 40 years of working with all forms of media. I can’t imagine anybody more qualified to talk about what it is that makes sculpture so unique.

Sculptors do not think in the same way as painters or other types of artists whose work sticks to the two-dimensional world rather than the round. Beth also believes that even many museum and gallery curators don’t quite fully understand sculpture, too, as they often place a sculpture for display in a place or position that prohibits walking around the artwork.

It’s impossible to fully appreciate sculpture unless you can view it from every angle, and to study and appreciate the intricacy of every one of its sides and surfaces,

Put simply: sculptors don’t think flat. They are constantly mapping things out in their minds in all three dimensions. When a sculptor first considers how they will begin constructing a new piece, they will usually create a sketch, as any other artist would.

The difference is, they are already thinking about the near and far, which aspects, objects, or pieces will be retracting or bringing you closer. Beth insists, “Flat planes frustrate sculptors – or at least, they certainly frustrate me!”.

An elegant sculpture needs to be attractive from 360 degrees, not just one point of view. When a museum curator places a sculpture in the corner of a room, they effectively decide which point of view is the most interesting. People appreciate sculptures in different ways. A sculpture cannot be thoroughly enjoyed if it is impossible to view from every possible angle.

If one person decides that a single face, aspect, or view of a sculpture is somehow more attractive than every other, the piece’s beauty is lost. Good sculptures are rude – they take up space. They refuse to be ignored. Unlike paintings or drawings, sculptures intrude into the area around them, rather than just sitting in a pre-determined position on a wall.

Sculptures capture and respond to light as the sun moves across the sky. Of course, this is especially true of outdoor sculptures. Elegant sculptures will often react to light shifting by using contrast and shiny materials such as gold, chrome, or shiny acrylic paint.

Hopefully, this will help you understand why being limited to only viewing a sculpture from a limited set of angles prevents you from truly appreciating what the artist was trying to express through their work.

Elegant sculpture can take many forms. Wooden pieces with imperfections and distressed details are a surefire way to draw your attention to the inherent beauty of the piece. Hand-painted bronze sculptures, which Dorit Levinstein is famous for, are one of the most striking forms of elegant sculpture.

Aluminum, too, permits the creation of interesting pieces in smaller sizes than bronze, as it is a much more flexible material when heated to a suitable temperature for sculpting.

Whatever type of sculpture you choose, you can use your smartphone and Amazon’s Augmented Reality app to picture how it will look in your room – a great use of new technology that gives art buyers more flexibility than ever before.