Sculptures

Sculpting refers to the art of shaping figures out of materials and into materials such as clay, granite, marble, metal, etc. Sculpture art is the means by which an artist expresses his or her aesthetic sense. The sculptor creates three dimensional works of art and uses various methods for shaping it finally. It is an ancient form of art that was used for carving out massive temples, deities and figurines that today are the cultural heritage. Some of the various forms of sculptures include:

Clay sculptures - Statues and carvings made of clay have been one of the most ancient forms of art in India and date back to pre-historic times. They were made of ivory and stone with clay for support. Statues of goddesses and figurines are made in India. Clay sculptures have flexibility and serve a functional purpose than an artistic one. E.g - terracotta figures of Chinese soldiers

Bronze sculptures- Immensely popular bronze sculptures are very convenient for the sculptor owing to the attributes of bronze that includes its expansion feature and its durability compared to other materials. E.g. - life-size Greek bronze known as, 'The Victorious athlete'
Metal sculptures - This includes bronze as well as brass or copper sculptures. Metal sculptures are popular in Nepal. These are available in gold and silver. E.g. – metal sculptures of Buddha is a popular piece.

Garden sculptures - there are two types of Garden sculptures : Classical garden sculptures and contemporary garden sculptures. It is a very common form of this, done in homes with huge areas of gardens. Nature and figurines is a recurring theme in garden sculptures. E.g. - Belvedere garden in Vatican City
Wall sculptures - This is very common in India as almost every fort, palace and temple has wall carvings and sculptures on them. Metal wall sculptures, metal wall hangings and tree hangings are some of the most popular form of sculptures. E.g - Hoysaleswara temple
Abstract sculptures - These are very sculptures which nature may not be the subject but it may be the source of inspiration or the artist's perception. Indian abstract sculpture is mainly religion and philosophy based and also Indian mythology. E.g- Brancusi’s ' The beginning of the world' and 'Bird in space'.
Greek sculptures - Classical Greek sculpture can be broadly categorized into four genres. Greek art can be Geometric, Archaic, Classical, or Hellenistic. Greek sculpture has influenced the world in terms of innovation, skill and style. E.g. - Pallas over a peplos

Sculptures have been a very rich source of inspiration for aspiring sculptors. Several museums house world famous sculptures done by eminent classic and contemporary sculptors.