Garden Sculptures Shape the Landscape
Artworks in the garden don't just add to a landscape design; they can create a completely different experience
Why do artful objects — such as sculpture, salvaged architectural fragments or even a birdbath — make such an impression in the garden?
Like adding jewelry to a little black dress or a few bright pillows to a tired sofa, intentionally placed sculpture can take any garden from ordinary to extraordinary. When sculpture is thoughtfully introduced to the garden, a new dimension is created. At once, the mood is altered. The landscape magically becomes imaginative and thought provoking. A grassy meadow becomes dramatic; a prosaic backyard gains a point of view. A courtyard or patio conveys the owner's personality or the architecture's significance.
I have learned a lot about outdoor sculpture from artist and designer Jennifer Gilbert Asher of TerraSculpture. “I place sculpture not just to complement the garden but to transform it,” Asher says. “A captivating sculpture can spike curiosity and provoke thought. It can be playful or energetic, meditative or even sensual.”
Asher was inspired to design a collection of bold, modern pieces after she had trouble finding affordable artwork for her client’s landscapes. “I'm fascinated by the contrast when bold, clean forms are set in the unrestrained beauty of nature," says Asher. "This is what I explore with my sculpture."
Here are her tips for upgrading a landscape with outdoor sculpture. See if you can discover which of the pieces featured here is my special one!
Like adding jewelry to a little black dress or a few bright pillows to a tired sofa, intentionally placed sculpture can take any garden from ordinary to extraordinary. When sculpture is thoughtfully introduced to the garden, a new dimension is created. At once, the mood is altered. The landscape magically becomes imaginative and thought provoking. A grassy meadow becomes dramatic; a prosaic backyard gains a point of view. A courtyard or patio conveys the owner's personality or the architecture's significance.
I have learned a lot about outdoor sculpture from artist and designer Jennifer Gilbert Asher of TerraSculpture. “I place sculpture not just to complement the garden but to transform it,” Asher says. “A captivating sculpture can spike curiosity and provoke thought. It can be playful or energetic, meditative or even sensual.”
Asher was inspired to design a collection of bold, modern pieces after she had trouble finding affordable artwork for her client’s landscapes. “I'm fascinated by the contrast when bold, clean forms are set in the unrestrained beauty of nature," says Asher. "This is what I explore with my sculpture."
Here are her tips for upgrading a landscape with outdoor sculpture. See if you can discover which of the pieces featured here is my special one!
“To me, the most comfortable place for sculpture is at eye level," says Asher. "Stand back and study the placement from where most people will be enjoying the art. Perhaps it’s from inside the home, or sitting poolside, or from a front entry.”
Here: "Tempest" in a dazzling orange powder-coated finish, in a San Francisco rooftop garden.
Here: "Tempest" in a dazzling orange powder-coated finish, in a San Francisco rooftop garden.
Asher's clients commissioned a 7-foot (upscaled) version of "Embrace" and placed it against the backdrop of the natural canyon setting.
The artist likes her sculpture to feature a “window” element, emphasizing the see-through quality of a piece. “Looking through a frame is almost magnetic,” she says. “You want to see what’s inside, through it and beyond — to the simple, harmonious beauty of nature itself.”
The artist likes her sculpture to feature a “window” element, emphasizing the see-through quality of a piece. “Looking through a frame is almost magnetic,” she says. “You want to see what’s inside, through it and beyond — to the simple, harmonious beauty of nature itself.”
Wall sculpture can be mesmerizing when it enhances architecture, as is seen here in a custom commission called "Time on Earth." Asher collaborated with her client to design a stainless steel wave-inspired installation that adds drama to a prized koi collection.
"If there’s one quality I cannot emphasize enough, it’s impact," Asher says. That means: color. Shape. Texture. Scale.
"Each one of these factors awakens the garden and gives it soul," she adds. "Sculpture in the landscape should evoke power, strength and emotion. Otherwise it will just fade away into the depths of the garden."
Here: "Flight" in white powder-coated steel.
"Each one of these factors awakens the garden and gives it soul," she adds. "Sculpture in the landscape should evoke power, strength and emotion. Otherwise it will just fade away into the depths of the garden."
Here: "Flight" in white powder-coated steel.
Well-placed sculpture will enhance your garden’s beauty and reflect your personal style. Give your garden an air of sophistication, a sense of harmony and a touch of restraint. “Sculpture becomes almost personified,” Asher says. “It’s like a friend that’s always standing there greeting you.”
Here: "Sisters," inspired by the artist's close relationship with her sisters.
Here: "Sisters," inspired by the artist's close relationship with her sisters.
First impressions: Sculpture can also be featured as an element of surprise. Place sculpture in pockets along a meandering path to create inspiring moments of pause for passersby, Asher says.
And, on a practial note, wherever the location, ensure that the sculpture is stable and well balanced, away from obstacles that could knock it over.
Here: "Leap," in a vibrant powder-coated finish.
And, on a practial note, wherever the location, ensure that the sculpture is stable and well balanced, away from obstacles that could knock it over.
Here: "Leap," in a vibrant powder-coated finish.
Placement and balance: Use sculpture to dramatize and emphasize your landscape’s best focal points.
Here: "Kismet," in weathered steel.
Here: "Kismet," in weathered steel.
A helix-like detail of "Kismet" draws the viewer to peer closer at the sculpture's dimensional form.
"Kismet" appears here in a stainless steel finish, which completely changes its look. The piece has been installed in a shallow pool of water, emphasizing its organic characteristics.
While it may seems just fine to situate a piece of artwork at the base of your patio steps, perhaps there’s a better place for it. As you stand in the garden, use your eye as a guide. What area earns your notice? Is it a bare spot beneath the canopy of the sycamore tree? Or is it a sweeping lawn enclosed by an evergreen hedge? These may be the ideal venues for artwork or sculpture.
Here: The sensuous lines of "Curvas" make a hillside feel dynamic.
Here: The sensuous lines of "Curvas" make a hillside feel dynamic.
"Curvas" makes a strong statement in a courtyard setting. The weathered steel patina echoes the vintage brick wall. This four-sided piece is most successful where it can be appreciated from each side, which is why it has been situated so that the viewer can walk around the entire sculpture.
Keep the planting design as simple as possible. Ornamental grasses like sedges or miscanthus, or evergreen shrubs and bamboos are exquisite companions to sculpture. Focus on color and texture of foliage rather than flower color when designing outdoor spaces where there will be sculpture. Let the boldness and contrast of the sculpture create the drama.
Here: "Snap" combines whimsy, scale and color in one piece.
Here: "Snap" combines whimsy, scale and color in one piece.
A charming detail of one of the "peas."
Think of scale as the “heft” of the artwork — including its material, shape and form — especially as your garden relates to your home and the greater environment. ”You should take into account not only the immediate surroundings, but also the background,” Asher says. “A mountain, an ocean view, the sky, looming majestic trees, or even a fence or wall — all these elements should be considered.”
Here: "Relaxed" combines weathered steel and stainless steel in a sublime sculptural statement.
Here: "Relaxed" combines weathered steel and stainless steel in a sublime sculptural statement.
When well crafted, a sculpture is one of the most sustainable elements you can place in any garden. It requires no water and needs minimal care. Its primary requirement is just your appreciation. Exterior artwork must be able to tolerate any kind of weather and extreme temperatures, so make sure your piece is made from materials like steel, bronze or stone to last a lifetime.
Here: "Taffy," an aptly named, fluid twist of weathered steel.
Here: "Taffy," an aptly named, fluid twist of weathered steel.
Proportion is a close relative to scale because a garden is a three-dimensional space seen from many points of view. “What intrigues me about sculpture is that we’re juxtaposing something man-made into a completely organic environment,” Asher explains. “I love the contrast.”
Here: "Closer" is both playful and sophisticated in a contemporary space.
Here: "Closer" is both playful and sophisticated in a contemporary space.
There is a notable difference between decorative garden accessories and outdoor sculpture, Asher explains. She clearly prefers the latter. “Enjoying art should be part of our daily life. Here in Southern California, we spend as much time outdoors as we spend inside, so I think people need to start looking to their outdoor environments as an extension of their home — without walls but with more artful possibilities.”
More:
Choosing and Placing Sculptures in the Garden
Go Big With Sculpture at Home
More:
Choosing and Placing Sculptures in the Garden
Go Big With Sculpture at Home
Here: "Tempest" in weathered steel.