Understanding modern and contemporary sculpture: 10 themes to know

Considered the father of modern sculpture, Auguste Rodin created vigorously modelled works that were seen as a radical departure from academic convention and classical idealism. Rodin ushered in a new form of highly expressive three-dimensional art that has influenced generations of artists. As the 20th century progressed, artists continued to move away from classical ideals of traditional sculpture with regards to the figure. Whether by experimenting with movement, abstraction or fragmentation in their explorations of the corporeal form, these artists opened new avenues to express psychological depth, emotional resonance and modern social themes. Through these techniques, 20th-century sculptors sought to liberate figuration from conventional expectations, allowing them to capture the dynamic and multifaceted essence of modern life, ultimately laying the groundwork for later interpretations of the human psyche.

Why we love it: The works of Rodin, Edgar Degas, and Alberto Giacometti revolutionised figurative art by capturing the essence of the human form in unprecedented ways. Their innovative approaches — Rodin’s dynamic forms, Degas’s ability to capture fleeting moments, and Giacometti’s elongated figures — continue to offer fresh perspectives on a timeless tradition.

Names to know: Auguste Rodin, Edgar Degas, Fernando Botero, Alberto Giacometti, Henry Moore, Henri Matisse, Amedeo Modigliani, Constantin Brancusi

Common everyday objects first appeared in Pablo Picasso’s Cubist assemblages in the early 1900s and soon made their way into sculpture. In 1915 Marcel Duchamp made one of the most groundbreaking gestures in art history by designating relatively unaltered common objects as sculptures. This act challenged traditional notions of artistry and originality, positing that an artist’s choice and context could elevate any object to the realm of fine art.

Later movements like Surrealism, Pop and contemporary art, embraced prioritising idea over craft. Practitioners of these movements explored the object’s potential to evoke unexpected associations, critique consumer culture and invite humour, amongst other effects. Today, found objects remain a powerful tool in sculpture, encouraging viewers to rethink the significance of everyday materials within artistic and cultural contexts.

Why we love it: Marcel Duchamp’s found object sculptures are immediately provocative and historically significant as the first of their kind. Symbols of intellectual and creative rebellion, Duchamp’s work blends irony and cultural relevance, inviting viewers to question authenticity and beauty in art.

Names to know: Marcel Duchamp, Pablo Picasso, Man Ray, Robert Rauschenberg, Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Sherrie Levine 

Artists have been incorporating movement into sculpture since the start of the 20th century with precedents found in the optical and mechanical artworks of Dada and Constructivism. By the 1950s, movement became the central tenet of kinetic art practitioners. Kinetic sculptors incorporated natural movement or mechanical motion into their artworks to explore the passage of time, reflect on the importance of the machine in the modern world and to examine the dynamics of perception. Today, kinetic artforms continue to captivate artists, collectors, and connoisseurs, offering a lens through which to examine the natural progressions of the world and the ongoing influence of technology in art.

Why we love it: Whether it be an Alexander Calder gracefully floating in mid-air or the mechanical spectacle of a work by Jean Tinguely, sculptures that incorporate movement enliven any space with a sense of unexpected dynamism.

Names to know: Alexander Calder, Marcel Duchamp, Naum Gabo, Jean Tingley, Lygia Clark

As artists broke free from the confines of traditional art spaces throughout the 20th century, outdoor sculpture evolved beyond its origins in public memorials and monuments. Unrestricted by gallery walls, sculptors began creating monumental, often abstract, works. They used voids or barriers to frame or reshape the surrounding landscape, which became an integral part of the artwork. These larger-than-life sculptures brought art into direct dialogue with the environment and often with the public, fostering interactive experiences that encouraged viewers to explore space by moving through or around the work. Transforming public and private outdoor spaces into arenas for reflection and engagement, outdoor sculpture continues to inspire artists interested in environmental awareness and community involvement.

Why we love it: Outdoor sculptures create a captivating contrast with the natural landscapes they inhabit. Engaging the environment, these sculptures reflect light and cast shadows that shift with time and season, offering a dynamic, ever-evolving interaction with their surroundings.

Names to know: David Smith, Richard Serra, Mark di Suvero, Henry Moore, Anthony Caro, Isamu Noguchi

Minimalism emerged in the 1960s with the premise that art should possess its own intrinsic reality, independent of imitation or representation. Defined by clean lines, simple geometric forms and lack of ornamentation, Minimalists sought to strip art to its essentials, focussing on purity of form and the inherent qualities of their chosen media. Using industrial materials like Plexiglas or aluminium, and often employing rational or mathematical systems to guide composition, these artists disrupted traditional ideas of craftsmanship and artistry. Today, Minimalist sculpture continues to push artists to explore space, perception and materiality while blurring the lines between art, architecture and design.

Why we love it: Through Donald Judd’s repeated geometric stacks subtly interact with light and space while John McCracken’s sleek planks blur the lines between painting and sculpture. The results are a meditative atmosphere that transforms any environment with timelessness and intellectual rigor.

Names to know: Donald Judd, John McCracken, Dan Flavin, Robert Morrison, Joel Shapiro, Sol LeWitt, James Turrell

Land art, also known as Earth art or environmental art, emerged in the late 1960s as artists began using landscapes as material. While most land art was created directly in the terrain — by sculpting site-specific earthworks or building structures with natural materials like rocks, soil or twigs — some artists also brought their work indoors, creating sculptures and installations accessible to a broader public. These artworks emphasize the interconnectedness of human experience with natural cycles, addressing issues such as environmental impact, beauty and sustainability. Earth art continues to inspire contemporary artists, who explore ecological themes, raise awareness of environmental issues, and invite viewers to consider nature not just as a backdrop but as the source of life and an active, integral participant in the artistic process.

Why we love it: Earth art has the powerful ability to invite introspection and dialogue about human identity, origin and nature. 

Names to know: Ugo Rondinone, Deborah Butterfield, Ana Mendieta, Robert Smithson, Andy Goldsworthy, Nancy Holt, Richard Long, Walter de Maria, Michael Heizer

Following the Second World War, artists have increasingly adopted an introspective approach to sculpture, examining the complexities of the human condition and psyche. By delving into raw emotion, autobiographical narratives and psychoanalytical concerns, these artists create brutally honest visual and conceptual works that address universal issues. Capturing the fragility of human existence, their works examine widespread vulnerabilities — alienation, mortality, and mental illness — inviting audiences to reflect on their own emotional landscapes. Through these explorations, artists can offer a rich and nuanced commentary on life’s complexities, encouraging introspection and fostering a shared connection to the human experience.

Why we love it: Artworks that invoke the human condition through the artist’s personal narrative can create a sense of understanding and connection with the artist themselves. Giacometti’s purpose in engaging with a living, present model was not to describe a realistic resemblance of a conventional kind, but rather to create a palpable and convincing representation of the reality of being, as he perceived it, in space. Yayoi Kusama’s iconic pumpkin sculptures are associated with the artist’s childhood growing up surrounded by fields of the squash at her family’s home in Japan. Kusama has long associated the pumpkin with positive feelings and the ‘joy of living’. She has described how her ongoing recreation of the bespeckled pumpkin is akin to a form of creative therapy, allowing her to gain control of her trauma.

Names to know: Yayoi Kusama, Louise Bourgeois, Thomas Schutte, Alberto Giacometti, Henry Moore

Today, many sculptors engage with the concept of identity to present authentic lived experiences, interrogate societal perceptions and critique systemic issues, often bringing visibility and nuance to underrepresented groups and individuals. While questioning stereotypes and conventions, they explore race, gender, sexuality, nationality, heritage and other facets of identity.

These artists offer diverse perspectives, sparking dialogue and creating meaningful experiences for viewers who connect personally and politically with their messages. Often blending art with activism, they have the power to transform the art world itself by inspiring broader conversations about inclusion, representation, and the complex interplay of personal and cultural identity within art.

Why we love it: Artists such as Simone Leigh and Felix Gonzalez-Torres shed light on the complexities of culture and identity while challenging norms and expanding the boundaries of contemporary sculpture. Though vastly different in style and approach, they create poignant meditations on personal and complex experiences that confront and expand their viewers’ understanding.

Names to know: David Hammons, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Simone Leigh, Glenn Ligon, Jeffrey Gibson, El Anatsui

While the 20th and 21st centuries saw the rise of the found object and industrially manufactured sculptures, many sculptors continued to explore traditional techniques, merging skilled craftsmanship with experimental methods. Engaging with their materials on a near spiritual level — whether wood, glass, fibre or ceramic —these artists reveal the intrinsic qualities and expressive potential of their medium. This allows texture, weight and form to shape the artwork’s impact. These process-oriented sculptors invite viewers to meditate on each work’s creation, celebrating the beauty and complexity of the material while emphasizing the transformative journey from raw substance to finished sculpture.

Why we love it: The high level of craftsmanship in process-driven sculpture can evoke a powerful tactile response, connecting the audience to the artist’s experience of making. From Roni Horn’s optically pristine glass sculptures, which take months to perfect, to Martin Puryear’s labour-intensive, hand-carved woodworks that preserve much of their natural character, these works reflect a deep engagement with material.

Names to know: Martin Puryear, Roni Horn, Barbara Hepworth, John Chamberlain, Eva Hesse

In 1919 Walter Gropius opened that Bauhaus State School in Weimar, Germany. Uniting fine and applied arts for the first time, the Bauhaus School launched a new frame of thought that would influence avant-garde sculptors throughout the century — encouraging them to create functional objects that found beauty in simplicity and utility. Extending far beyond the Bauhaus’s reach, sculptors who engaged with movements as diverse as Expressionism, Surrealism, Biomorphism and Minimalism created bold artworks that doubled as functional objects. These artists saw design as a natural extension of their creative expression. Their work challenges the conventional division between art and everyday life, leaving a lasting impact on contemporary art and design.

Why we love it: François-Xavier Lalanne’s oeuvre of often-functional sculptures reflects an appreciation for antiquity fused with Surrealist inspiration. His animal-shaped seating, bars, desks and tables, to name a few, is celebrated for its intricate craftsmanship, dynamism and whimsy. His works stand out as both functional items and unique art pieces, transforming interiors into surreal, interactive environments.

Names to know: François-Xavier Lalanne, Claude Lalanne, Isamu Noguchi, Alberto Giacometti, Diego Giacometti, Salvador Dalí, The Haas Brothers