Statues

14 articles

Statues are standalone sculptures in which full-length, three-dimensional, and realistic likeness of a person, animal, or creature is cast, modeled, carved, or constructed using a long-lasting material like stone, ceramics, metal or wood.

Most statues are full-length or near life-size, making them sculptures representing animals or persons in full figure. However, there are also figurines or statuettes, which are small-sized sculptures representing a scaled-down figure of a person or animal. On the other hand, colossal statues are twice or larger than the life-size of the creature. The best-known statues include The Little Mermaid, Buddha of Bamiyan, Christ the Redeemer, and The Statue of Liberty.

Stephan Balkenhol - Sphaera, 2007, steel, plastic, bronze and gold leaf, 8,8-meter height, 5-meter diameter, 3,5 tonnes, installation view, Kapitelplatz, Salzburg, Austria feat

Stephan Balkenhol’s massive, golden sculpture in Salzburg – Sphaera

The sculpture Sphaera by Stephan Balkenhol was installed as part of the Art Project Salzburg in the 2007 Salzburg Festival and is based on various medieval mysteries. Construction & design The artwork, situated outside of the Salzburg cathedral on the Kapitelplatz, is easily recognizable from afar thanks to its golden sheen that reflects light from [...]

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David Černý - Head of Franz Kafka, 2014, 40 layers of polished stainless steel, motors, electronics, 10.6 meters tall, 39 tonnes, installation view, Prague, Czech Republic feat

Franz Kafka’s giant rotating head – A statue in Prague by David Černý

One of the most outstanding attractions in Prague is the piece of Franz Kafka, an outdoor sculpture that is more of a technical wonder. The work of art is part of the Quadrio shopping and office complex on Národní třída, created by controversial artist David Černý who had on several occasions along his career used [...]

Franz Kafka’s giant rotating head – A statue in Prague by David Černý Read

Nataraja-Shiva-2004-bronze-2-meters-installation-view-CERN-Meyrin-Switzerland feat

Why is there a statue of Shiva the Destroyer at CERN? Your questions answered

If you have been keeping up with the happenings of the CERN, the world’s most advanced scientific research facility, you might have noticed the statue of Shiva the Destroyer. Shiva, the cosmic dancer, symbolizes the natural flow of divine energy. He takes part in Rudra Tandava – a dance representing destruction and rebirth- to reshape [...]

Why is there a statue of Shiva the Destroyer at CERN? Your questions answered Read

African Renaissance Monument, 2010, bronze, 49 meter (161 feet), Ouakam suburb, Dakar, Senegal feat

The African Renaissance Monument – Africa’s most controversial statue

This 49 meters tall bronze statue is located on top of the Collines des Mamelles – one of the twin hills – in the Senegalese capital Dakar. It overlooks the Atlantic Ocean just outside the city in the Ouakam neighborhood. The African Renaissance Monument was designed by renowned Senegalese architect Pierre Goudiaby Atepa following a [...]

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African-Renaissance-Monument-Le-Monument-de-la-Renaissance-Africaine-2010-–-Dakar-Senegal-feat

Mansudae Art Studio: North Korea’s artistic influence in Africa

Artwork from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has always been a trademark for modern socialist realism. Although North Korea is well known for being the most secretive nation in the world, the largely unknown nation is certainly not shy when it comes to publicizing their statues, monuments, grand festivals, and celebrations. In particular, a [...]

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Maurizio Cattelan’s Hitler sculpture – World’s worst criminal regrets his sins

How much penance do the atrocities that Adolf Hitler committed in his lifetime require to be forgiven? This is perhaps the question which Maurizio Cattelan wanted to arouse in his audience when he drew a picture of the fascist leader in a kneeling position. There is nothing wrong with someone kneeling in prayer. In fact [...]

Maurizio Cattelan’s Hitler sculpture – World’s worst criminal regrets his sins Read

Meekyoung Shin’s beautiful sculptures – Made entirely from soap

Meekyoung Shin, a South Korean sculptor, became popular for her Translation series, using soap as her medium of art. Trained in the tradition of European sculpture, her statuettes are made factoring in the Western and Eastern styles of relief. Her works are usually made from palm oil, a vegetarian soap. Her technique The free-standing ancient [...]

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Jaume Plensa’s stunning larger-than-life sculptures

Jaume Plensa is arguably one of the top sculptors today. He is primarily known for creating huge ethereal sculptures and has also worked with different contemporary art media types, including acoustic installations and video projections. Plensa is especially known for his large-scale, ethereal projects, which he installed in public spaces of major cities around the [...]

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Fabrice Fouillet’s photos of world’s largest statues

Through several centuries, there have been different statues erected around the world. These statues vary in size and what they represent. Photographer Fabrice Fouillet embarked on a tour to study and take photographs of the biggest and most imposing statues in the world; A project he named Colosses. The idea behind the project The project [...]

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Artist Xu Zhen’s stunning installation at the Long Museum

Xu Zhen is a leader within the domain of contemporary Chinese art and is said to be one of the most sought-after international contemporary artists. Xu Zhen uses inspiration from both Chinese and Western cultures while combining the embodiment of both. He uses sociocultural frameworks as an inspiration for his pieces to target and, what [...]

Artist Xu Zhen’s stunning installation at the Long Museum Read