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FIND OUT MORE. Decorative Arts 327

WHAT DOES THREE-DIMENSIONAL MEAN?

The term refers to the three dimensions of space –

length, breadth, and depth. It is a useful way of

distinguishing between art such as painting, drawing,

and prints, which are two-dimensional (flat) and

sculpture, which is three-dimensional.

1 RELIEF CARVING

This detail is from an ancient

Hindu relief carving cut into

a massive rock in Tamil Nadu,

southern India. It was made

during the 7th or 8th centuries.

HORSES OF SAN MARCO 2

Four life-size horses stand

atop the Basilica de San

Marco, Venice. They

date from the 4th

century BCE to the

4th century CE.

They were taken

to Italy from

Constantinople

in the 13th

century.

The cobra is the

serpent demon,

representing evil

WOODEN MASK 3

Wood is carved to make sculptures

or functional objects such as this

Sri Lankan dancer’s mask, created

from carved and painted wood.

4 OPHELIA, DEBORAH HALPERN, 1996

Australian artist Deborah Halpern (1957–) creates

public art, sculptures created for outside. This one

adds colour and exuberance to city life in Melbourne.

HOW IS SCULPTURE MADE?

Techniques depend upon the materials used. When

carving stone or wood, the sculptor chips away with

a hammer and chisel. When sculpting clay, artists may

use their hands. Clay models may be cast in bronze to

create a strong, permanent sculpture.

Other techniques include welding

metal, moulding plastic or concrete,

and using fibre-glass.

IS SCULPTURE ALWAYS VIEWED FROM ALL SIDES?

Not all sculptures are carved in the round. Relief

sculptures are carved on one side only, and stand out

from a background surface. Relief panels have been

used since ancient times, often to decorate important

buildings, such as temples and churches.

Material is steel mesh

sprayed with expanding

foam, covered with fibre-

glass skin, and topped with

ceramic tiles for mosaic effect

Sculpture is three-dimensional art. Traditionally, there are two

main methods: carving material such as wood or stone, and

modelling forms by adding pieces of material such as clay.

Modern artists have explored new materials and techniques.

Big face decorates

most of Halpern’s

sculptures, often

inspired by Picasso

Sculpture is 4.1 m

(13 ft 6 in) high

Bronze consists of copper mixed

with small amounts of lead and tin.

This bronze is overlaid with gold

Sculpture

cast in bronzeee to

sculpture