Siting Sculpture in the Garden

Siting sculpture is a bit of an art (pardon the pun!). A sculpture looming out of the lawn is not always going to show it at its best.

Have a look at the piece. Assess it.

Is it a single piece? Does it reflect the sky and so needs to be in an open space? Does is produce shadows as part of it's impact, so need to located so the sun's position and a levelled lawn or clean surface will maximise the effect?  Can it connect with a natural feature in the garden (see the stag below).

Is it a pair? Then can it frame something in the garden to extend its presence, like an entrance, a path, a pool or a vista? Would they look good sited equi-distant from a third object in the garden of similar dimensions (the rule of threes). 

Owning a sculpture that has an outlook is interesting. It can greet you as you enter the space, or can be looking towards something else in the garden, so your eyes are drawn from it to something else - like a tall thin piece that looms up to the high canopy, or a face/torsoe that may be looking out to a long vista. 

This has to be a favourite of mine. This stag has been sited where he is eying up the grand old stag-horn oak on the other side of the water. You feel there is territory under threat, There may be a clashing on horns while the old stag-horn stands his ground and holds onto his herd of female. Genuis! 

If it is a reflective piece then it can bring magical dynamism into the garden with the seasons. Sky or water would be allow the piece to come alive, allowing the reflection to change with light and weather, making the sculpture become ephemeral, diurnal and seasonal even within in its permanence in the garden.

This perspex sphere has an allusion of floating. The meadow grass has grown to up and half hidden the base, and the metal ring around its equator almost looks like it is dipping below the horizon, with the base actually a reflection. 

Shadows can be beautiful, so siting it where the early morning or late evening sun will shoot long shadows over a lawn would be perfect. Seasonally this will change as the sun's journey across the sky changes trajectory, so winter shadows will be far greater than summer ones. This can be really valuable in a garden in winter that relies on structure and form to continue the performance through the dark cold months.

One Sculpture and the rule of Threes! Clever use of the old pollarded trees here at Hannah Peshar where the shape of the sculpture sits perfectly with the two pollards that have a similar silhouette. 

The list of things to consider is comprehensive, and too much to go into here is great detail, but spend some time moving the piece around until you find it final resting place, or get in the professionals! Curators like those at Hannah Peschar Sculpture Garden will help you site your newly purchased art. Infact, they are a great place to visit to get some inspiration. 

This is a garden of one of our clients. She sourced the Four Seasons from a local rec yard and we positioned them in the middle of the pergola bays where the yew hedge behind really makes them stand out and provides them the formality they deserve.

Every garden should have a focal feature, sculpture or even a reclaimed piece of history. Don't be scared of investing in something. If you love it enough, it will find a place in your garden to sit and give you pleasure.