Garden Decoration - Sculptures
A garden is ever changing, by its nature. The seasons bring their changes and the cycle of growth, fruiting and regeneration is played out time and again. Even the trees grow taller and many change with the seasons. A statue can serve as an unchanging focal point, a moment of permanence in the flux of change that constitutes a garden. A statue can also be a suitable adornment in a garden, landscape, courtyard, or patio design of any size, and may perhaps be a memorial to a loved one, a celebration of a milestone within a family, or a statement of the owner’s appreciation of beauty in a form that complements what has been achieved in the garden.
The decision to incorporate a statue in the landscape is a highly personal one. On the objective plane, however, there are some things you always need to consider. The most important are context, and the material of which the statue is made. You can carry out your own research, or your landscape contractor will be happy to give you advice tailored to your area.
‘Context’ includes what kind of statue is selected; the number of pieces of statuary in a garden; and the placement of the statue, together with any special effects.
There are very many types of statues available at garden decor outlets and in art galleries, and their size ranges from monumental to miniature. You will want to choose a piece that is proportionate not only to your lot, but also to the section of the garden where you plan to place it. Whether your choice is modernist or baroque, angelic or grotesque, secular or religious, or a single form or a group, you will want it to obey the same rules of proportion as the rest of your garden.
Some gardens can support more than one piece of sculpture, but be careful. Unless your aim is to set up an outdoor gallery, a rule of thumb is that no more than one piece should be on view from any given vantage point in the garden. In this way you will avoid ‘mixing your message’.
It is vital, if the statue is to be shown to best effect, to consider how it will relate to the other elements in the garden ideas and landscaping. Is it to be the central element on a lawn, or is it to nestle into a bed of flowers? Does it need to stand on a plinth, and if so, what materials will the plinth be made of? Will it receive full sun for much of the day, or will it spend most of its time in dappled, or deep, shade? How can you frame the statue in its surroundings? Do you want to have it spotlighted at night? How will you get power to the site? It is better to consider all these questions before you buy than have to face them only after your statue has been delivered.
Finally, consider the materials of which the statue is made. There are very many choices. If your statue is an artwork created from stone, make enquiries about exactly what treatments may be recommended for outdoor display. Some softer materials such as limestone (that itself has several degrees of hardness) will weather relatively quickly if exposed to the elements. The weathered look might be what you want - but if not, there may be silicone-based preparations that will limit the effect of sun, wind and rain. There are similar issues for statues made of bronze and sculptures made from wood. Other commonly used materials are fibreglass, plastic and plaster: you can take steps to prolong the life of them all.
A thoughtfully chosen, well-sited sculpture can add interest and depth to a garden, as well as serving as a personal statement by the gardener. A little forethought can make incorporating it into the garden design a straightforward matter.
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