How To: Display Sculpture

Most of the art in our homes is of the two dimensional variety. Photographs, paintings, lithographs or prints easily find a place against a wall, whether hung (on hooks, from picture railing, even, as BethZ, pointed out, from a stair railing) or leaning. Sculpture demands a different tack. We recently, and unexpectedly, became the temporary owner of a large (and heavy) piece. For right now, it's on the floor, but here are some other options...

Unlike two dimensional pieces, sculpture benefits from the use of light in order to highlight its unique qualities.

A large piece on its own pedestall: Light from above (here, the window and a standing lamp) illuminate this type of sculpture's strong lines. Consider displaying it on a table, either alone or in a grouping.

Small objects (like the glass fruit that The Scout highlighted in this past weekend's LA Times Home and Garden section), can be placed on a shelf or a table. Pile them together on a plate for added visual interest. To up the drama, place them on a shelf where they can be lit from above or below.
A bas-relief, can be treated as you would any two dimensional work, but for added oomph, consider using light directed at the piece, to emphasize its three-dimensional nature.

Comments (12)

wow, quite the Freudian statue!

posted by *heather leaf* on September 18th 2008 at 10:44am
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Thank you heather leaf! I'm glad to know I wasn't the only person who thought the statue could use some drawers...

posted by LilyC on September 18th 2008 at 10:50am
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That looks like part of my wisdom tooth they extracted.

posted by modernguy on September 18th 2008 at 10:51am
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Yeah...I'm seeing an organ of some sort. I am so distracted by my perverted mind that I didn't even read the post.

posted by Kimber on September 18th 2008 at 10:52am
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Huh, I just saw a chest and part of the neck and shoulders.

I'm a big fan of small sculptures place on bookshelves, alone on a shelf..

posted by Roethke on September 18th 2008 at 11:20am
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i kind of wanted better advice then "put it on a shelf or table"?

posted by jaime5 on September 18th 2008 at 11:20am
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sorry to be crass but, is that a baby crowning?

posted by Piri on September 18th 2008 at 11:30am
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The word "Taint" comes to mind. Yikes.

posted by kitties! on September 18th 2008 at 11:54am
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TOTALLY just thought of the "Everybody loves Raymond" episode where Marie makes an 'abstract' sculpture, but everyone else sees lady parts....even the nuns who come to pick it up!!

posted by kgenesius on September 18th 2008 at 5:18pm
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adipocere anyone? :)

posted by Kinky Gazpacho on September 18th 2008 at 5:29pm
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Wow, I just thought it was a wad of gum until everyone pointed out the naughties. I'm so shiny and clean of mind!

We also were expecting something different than 'put it somewhere obvious'. Let's find some more tips around our little favorite AT chestnuts:

Put it on top of the refrigerator.
Put it in your extra closet for an art gallery.
Make a lamp out of it.
Spraypaint, spraypaint, spraypaint that thang.
Wrap it in brown paper or knit it in yarn.
Pair it with your buddha or your fringed bear or suggestive chair.
Chalk. Board. Paint.
Intrigue, bother, and amuse your neighbors.
Of course, landing strip.