Sculpture in the Garden

Through the vast contribution of the gardener, a garden is in itself a work of art. An expression of personality emerges through the various organic forms, and as a garden is assembled and nurtured, it creates an idyllic sanctuary. Complementing this natural landscape is the introduction of sculpture.

Be it selecting a sculpture or commissioning an artist to create a bespoke piece for your garden, it is worth examining a few points.

Consider the positioning of the artwork

Do you wish your selected piece to pose as a pinnacle, or rather serve to complement its surroundings? In either respect, proportions of the sculpture and the space in which it is situated are important to think about. For instance, Martin Cash’s large stone works serve as a statement due to their robust appearance, whereas Christine Baxter’s bronze sculptures, specifically her charming array of hares, embody the rambunctiousness of the animal whilst blending pleasingly amongst the tall grasses.

Natural beauty

The sculpture in our gallery spans an extensive range of mediums. Traditional materials such as stone or wood would merge well with the organic fibres of the garden, such as Piotr Gargas’ “Arise” or Phillipe Bray’s range of tree sculptures, whilst metal and bronze resin bear the ability to add a contemporary flamboyance, like Rachel Ducker’s eccentric wire pieces. Indeed, each material has the prospect of weathering, gently stripping the purity of the surface, but in its place, a patina that blends with its natural surroundings becomes gradually established.

Martin Cash, exhibitor in our gallery

“We try to visit the gardens that sculptures are going into, so that our sculptures can be positioned to reflect and celebrate the designs of the surroundings. The natural world and the sculpture should work in unison to create pleasing images, which encourage a moment of reflection and contemplation.”

Stippling light

Additionally, the way in which the light touches the piece is of note. Sunlight is the most exposing element of the garden, with its glorious hues ever changing throughout the day. Such a powerful source can be utilised to either spotlight the sculpture in order to fully admire every detail, or alternatively be used to create an effect of dappled, perhaps even dramatic, silhouettes.

As we can see, there are many aspects to ruminate over when it comes to selecting a sculpture for your garden. However, help is always at hand from our friendly gallery, with its ever evolving collection of new and exciting pieces. It is worth visiting our gallery to appreciate the options first hand, or keep up to date with our online selection.