Art Sculpture is the branch of art that operates in three dimensions. Sculptures can express spiritual or symbolic ideas. Abstract Sculptures has been used to express creativity for thousands of years. Traditionally, there are two main methods of creating sculptures: carving material such as wood or stone, and modeling forms by adding pieces of material such as clay. Sculpture in stone survives far better than works of art in perishable materials, and often represents the majority of the surviving works (other than pottery) from ancient cultures, though conversely traditions of sculpture in wood may have vanished almost entirely. Modern artists, however, have explored new materials and techniques.

The collecting of metal art sculpture, including that of earlier periods, goes back some 2,000 years in Greece, China and Mesoamerica, and many collections were available on semi-public display long before the modern museum was invented. From the 20th century the relatively restricted range of subjects found in large sculpture expanded greatly, with abstract subjects and the use or representation of any type of subject now common. Today much sculpture is made for intermittent display in galleries and museums, and the ability to transport and store the increasingly large works is a factor in their construction.

Art sculptures are classified as:

Subtractive: Subtractive sculpture is the oldest form of sculpture and involves removing material, as in wood carving or stone sculpture, to create a finished work. Subtractive sculpture is by far the most technically difficult and due to the nature of the medium is the most restrictive in expression.

Additive: Additive sculpture describes all other forms of sculpture and the process most commonly used today.  Simply put, additive sculpture is the process of creating sculpture by adding material to create the work.  Although artists have worked in every medium from butter to cement, the most common material is typically wax or clay which is modeled by the artist to create the form desired. The term “modeling” is used interchangeably with the word “sculpting” to describe additive sculpture, especially appropriate when dealing with clay.

Relief: It is a form or picture that projects out from or is mounted on a vertical surface. Relief sculpture is among the oldest forms of sculpted art.

Free standing sculptures: Free-standing sculpture, also known as sculpture in-the-round, likely represents the form of sculpture most recognizable to modern people. Free-standing sculpture is any work of sculpture which can be viewed from any angle around the pedestal.

Kinetic sculpture: Kinetic sculpture is free-standing sculpture that moves, either by mechanical power or under the power of wind or water. Fountains are a form of kinetic sculpture, although in that special case the sculpture is not powered by the water but lives within the shapes and forms of the water as it arcs over and through the air.

Assemblage Sculpture: Another more modern form of sculpture is known as Assemblage sculpture, which is sculpture pieced together from found or scavenged items that have little or no relationship to one another.

The materials used in contemporary art sculpture are diverse, changing throughout history. The classic materials, with outstanding durability, are metal, especially bronze, stone and pottery, with wood, bone and antler less durable but cheaper options. Sculptors have used various ways and materials.

Here are few types of Modeling Material used:

Wax: A specially formulated modeling wax has advantages when creating small figures.  The lightness of the material and its pliability and workability offers the artist the ability to work in fine detail to create tiny features such as fingers.

Water Clay: Water based clay is essentially pottery clay and until recent years was the material of choice for sculptors.  One advantage of water clay is that its consistency can be adjusted by the artist to fit the circumstances. As the sculpture is initially modeled, the artist can keep spraying the clay with a water mist bottle to create a smooth slick feel.  A terra-cotta sculpture is most desirable if the artist is not interested in a bronze casting or does not need to create multiple copies from a mold as done in bronze art sculpture.

Oil Clay: Oil based clay presents one of the greatest advances in sculpture technology in modern times.  This clay is much lighter than water based clay and can be purchased in a variety of consistencies to suit the project.  A sculpture modeled with this clay will not dry out and will remain supple indefinitely. Fine detail is much more easily modeled in oil clay and surfaces can be blended with a paintbrush containing lighter fluid.

When writing about wall art sculptures, one of Pablo Picasso’s most famous modern art sculptures including bicycle parts is worth a mention. Indian artists like Subodh Gupta, on the other hand have created a niche for themselves by making sculptures using the commonly used steel utensils. Alexander Calder and other modernists have also made spectacular use of painted steel. Thus, Indian sculptures also offer a varied range starting from carving to sand sculptures and other such mediums.

Now-a-days, there is an increase in the demand for art & sculptures; people are buying fine art sculpture for their home, offices and other premises. Sculptors through the ages have traditionally worked with non-living media such as clay, plaster, glass, bronze, or even plastic. Living sculptures which are created with living, growing grasses, vines, plants or trees are gaining a lot of importance these days. Although sculpting plants isn’t a new idea, its recent rediscovery by artists, horticulturalists, gardeners, and young people has given living sculpture an innovative popularity. Architects and interior designers, in their desire to create green buildings, are further boosting the importance to Living Sculptures.