Do you love carving or moulding figures from materials like clay, metal or marble? Do you have good artistic talent and a keen imagination while carving things? Then this career as a Sculptor is the best fit for you.
As an art lover, you may be aware of the works of Michelangelo, Rodin, Anish Kapoor and Bharti Kher. You will also be fascinated by monuments like the Statue of Liberty or the recently sculpted Sardar Patel statue in India. Do you connect yourself when you see such art forms and also want to sculpt one? Then buckle up and explore this article to know everything about how to make a career in Sculpting.
Who are Sculptors?
They are visual creative artists that specialize in creating 2-D and a 3-D Art forms by shaping materials like clay, wood, stone, marble and other materials by carving, chiselling, modelling them into beautiful finished sculptural art figures.
The sculpture has its origin in folk arts, religion, traditions and culture and is the visual representation in three dimensions in solid form.
In today’s modern world, sculptures are even made out of lights, sound and motion. A sculptor is responsible for shaping these materials into various forms like monuments and statues for exhibiting them in art galleries, museums or parks.
What does Sculptors do?
- Some Sculptors create mixed-media displays called Installations by using various materials. For instance incorporation of light and sound into their works.
- They are experts in carving man-made or natural things into beautiful art forms.
- Sculptors mostly use chisels for carving out harder materials.
- They carve out a mass of marble or rock until it resembles the structure or shape they are opting for.
- Assembling pieces and moulding materials for making a larger structure.
- Work on public art installations and create works for different businesses, arts organizations and governments.
- Can teach sculpting art to students.
- Restoration of artwork or creation of sculptural reproductions and models for television sets and movie sets.
Education and Eligibility
If you are aspiring to be a Sculptor, choose the following education path to become one.
- Complete your 10+2 in any stream from a recognized board.
- Pursue B.F.A, i.e., Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpting or Diploma course in Sculpting.
- Interested candidates can pursue Masters in Fine Arts called M.F.A in sculpting.
- Join an apprenticeship program offered by professional bodies for increasing your marketability and career opportunities.
- Develop your online portfolio or a professional website that will make it easy to market yourself and share your work worldwide.
Required Skills
The following are some of the skills a successful sculptor must possess:
- Artistic and vision for art.
- Creative and innovative skills.
- Dedicated and detail-oriented.
- Proficient in different art forms like three-dimensional modelling, forging, casting and woodworking.
- Art Interpretation and connecting art and theory.
- Marketing savvy.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Top Indian Colleges for Sculpture
- Delhi College of Arts and Commerce, Delhi.
- Sir J.J Institute of Applied Art, Mumbai.
- Visva Bharathi University, West Bengal.
- Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, Hyderabad.
Fellowship and Scholarships for Sculptors
- Scholarship schemes for young artists by Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
- Khoj Scholarship.
- ICCR Scholarship Scheme by Indian Council in Cultural Relations.
- Lalit Kala Akademi Scholarship.
- Scholarship by the Krishnakriti Foundation in Hyderabad.
Career Opportunities for Sculptors
- Sculptor / Modeler / Molder
- Craft Artist / Freelance Artist
- Art or Craft Teacher / Clay-Pottery Trainer
- Lecturer / Professor
- Metalworker / Woodworker / Stoneworker
- Interior Decorator
- Exhibition Designer
- Furniture Designer
- Museum Curator / Archivist
Employment Areas for Sculptors
- Self-Employment
- Art Galleries / Commercial Art Studios
- Construction Companies
- Museums, Cultural Conservation Centers
- Government Sector like National Art Galleries
- Antique Remodeling
- Stone Carving
- Interior Design / Decoration & Furniture Design
- Schools / Colleges / Universities / Academic Institutes
- Television & Film Industry.
Salary and Job Outlook
The salary of a sculptor depends on qualification, experience and skills. In India, these professionals can earn from INR 7-10k per month.
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average median salary for Sculptors is $48,780 annually and employment is expected to grow at a 2% rate. This growth is directly proportional to the economic growth of a country.
Governments, Studios and Individual clients are always on the lookout for talented sculptors who can display creativity, competitive ability and artistic talent.
These artists can advance professionally as their work gets recognized and they establish their reputation. You can prosper in this field by continually developing new ideas according to clients’ requirements.
– Samiya Firdous
