Metal Sculpture

Metal sculpture is art made from metals like steel, iron, bronze, and copper. Artists weld, bend, and hammer metal into shapes. Some metal sculptures are huge and stand outdoors. Others are small enough to hold in your hand. Metal art can be shiny, rusty, or painted in bright colors.

How Metal Sculptures Are Made

Artists use several methods to make metal sculptures. Welding joins pieces of metal together with heat. Casting means pouring melted metal into a mold. Forging means hammering hot metal into shape. Some artists use found objects like old car parts and scrap metal to create their art.

Famous Metal Sculptures

The Statue of Liberty is one of the most famous metal sculptures. It is made of copper. Alexander Calder invented mobiles, which are hanging metal sculptures that move in the wind. The Cloud Gate sculpture in Chicago is made of shiny steel. People love to see their reflections in it.

Fun Facts

• The Statue of Liberty is made of copper and weighs about 225 tons.
• Alexander Calder invented the mobile, a sculpture that moves with the air.
• The Cloud Gate sculpture in Chicago is nicknamed The Bean because of its shape.

Did You Know?

The Statue of Liberty was originally a shiny copper color. It turned green over many years because the copper reacted with the air!