Definition
A three-dimensional artwork that may be created from various types of materials, commonly stone
(either rock or marble), metal, glass, wood, ice, clay, etc.
A person who creates sculptures is called a sculptor.
What is clay?
Clay is made from very fine particles of dirt which press on each other and stick together. It is
squishy when it is wet, so it is easy to form into any shape. It dries hard when exposed to the air for
longer periods of time since water evaporates out.
If a clay sculpture is put in a special oven (called a kiln) and heated to very high temperatures, it
will permanently harden. This is called firing. Often times, dishes, plates, cups, etc. are made from
fired clay. People have used clay since the Prehistoric times.
TYPE OF SCULPTURE
DEFINITION
EXAMPLE
Sculpture that is surrounded on all sides,
Free-standing
Sculpture (Sculpture in except the base, by space. It is meant
to be viewed from any angle.
the Round
Relief Sculpture
Sculpture that is still attached to a
background and may only be viewed
from the front.
Kinetic Sculpture
A sculpture that involves aspects of
physical motion. Often involves a
motor or gears.
Bust
A representation of a person from the
chest up.
Equestrian
Typically showing a significant person
on horseback.
Ways to Create Sculptures

Mold - Clay, Pottery

Carve - Wood, Ice, Types of Stone

Assemble/Build - Various Materials (Wood, found objects)

Weld - Steel, metals

Glass Blowing - Glass
WORLD FAMOUS SCULPTURES
Venus of Willendorf
Nike of Samothrace
Michelangelo, David
SIGNIFICANCE
Tiny stone female with exaggerated features.
Symbol of fertility.
Winged victory. Famous for beauty, movement
and balance.
Carved out of one piece of stone, larger than
life-size, from the Renaissance period.
Shows movement through still sculpture.
Boccioni, Unique Forms of
Continuity in Space
Henry Moore, Reclining
Mother and Child
Claus Oldenburg, Spoon
Bridge and Cherry
Very stylized human figures representing a
mother and child.
Oldenburg is famous for his quirky gigantic
sculptures of regular household items.
Canadian landmark of the north.
Inukshuk
Definition
A three-dimensional artwork that may be created from various types of materials, commonly stone
(either rock or marble), metal, glass, wood, ice, clay, etc.
A person who creates sculptures is called a sculptor.
What is clay?
Clay is made from very fine particles of dirt which press on each other and stick together. It is
squishy when it is wet, so it is easy to form into any shape. It dries hard when exposed to the air for
longer periods of time since water evaporates out.
If a clay sculpture is put in a special oven (called a kiln) and heated to very high temperatures, it
will permanently harden. This is called firing. Often times, dishes, plates, cups, etc. are made from
fired clay. People have used clay since the Prehistoric times.
TYPE OF SCULPTURE
DEFINITION
EXAMPLE
Free-standing
Sculpture (Sculpture in
the Round
Relief Sculpture
Kinetic Sculpture
Bust
Equestrian
Ways to Create Sculptures

Mold - Clay, Pottery

Carve - Wood, Ice, Types of Stone

Assemble/Build - Various Materials (Wood, found objects)

Weld - Steel, metals

Glass Blowing - Glass
WORLD FAMOUS SCULPTURES
Venus of Willendorf
Nike of Samothrace
Michelangelo, David
SIGNIFICANCE
Tiny stone female with exaggerated features.
Symbol of fertility.
Winged victory. Famous for beauty, movement
and balance.
Carved out of one piece of stone, larger than
life-size, from the Renaissance period.
Shows movement through still sculpture.
Boccioni, Unique Forms of
Continuity in Space
Henry Moore, Reclining
Mother and Child
Claus Oldenburg, Spoon
Bridge and Cherry
Very stylized human figures representing a
mother and child.
Oldenburg is famous for his quirky gigantic
sculptures of regular household items.
Canadian landmark of the north.
Inukshuk