ART CAREER

Magdalena Pedro Martínez, Woman in traditional dress of Sierra Sur region, Oaxaca, Mexico, 2017. Black clay, 12” x 7” x 5 ½” (30.5 x 17.8 x 14 cm). Courtesy of the artist.

Art Career: Sculptor
Sculptors work with a wide variety of materials, such as metal, stone, wood, clay, wire, found objects, plastic—even ice and butter. They can weld or carve materials into freestanding statues or create relief sculpture, which is flat on one side and hangs on a wall.

Sculptors must consider where their artwork might reside and choose materials that hold up in that environment. They create artworks for public spaces, private homes, and even as props for movies. They must thoroughly know their materials and how to best work with them to achieve their intended result. Many sculptors study fine art in college, learning techniques along with art history, while others learn through an apprenticeship with another sculptor.

Student Engagement Tip: When discussing tools used by sculptors, have the tools available for students to hold, touch, or see in person to help them gain a better understanding. For example, when students heft the weight of a hammer that would be used with a chisel to carve stone, they get a sense of how much strength might be needed for that task.