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9 Sculptures You (Probably) Didn’t Know Existed
Content warning: Which one is your favorite?
From a 50-foot Native American monument overlooking the Missouri River to a surreal hammock strung across a border fence, these sculptures push the boundaries of form, meaning, and public space. Whether constructed from stone, steel, wire, or illusion, each work defies convention — and chances are, you haven’t seen them before. Locations span from Barcelona to Philadelphia, from South Dakota plains to Turkish landscapes.
More: 8 Inspiring Sculptures Seamlessly Integrated with Nature
1. Melancholy — Albert György in Geneva, Switzerland
This bronze sculpture of a seated figure appears hollowed out from within, forming an arched void from chest to head. The minimalist facial features and slumped posture evoke absence and loss, using emptiness as its central element.
2. Window and Ladder – Too Late for Help — Leandro Erlich in Montevideo, Uruguay
A fragment of brick wall with a single window floats mid-air, supported by a ladder that leads nowhere. Placed in an empty lot, this illusion-based sculpture alters space and challenges logic.
3. Border Hammock — Murat Gök in Istanbul, Turkey
Two fence poles curve inward to cradle a man resting in a hammock made from the fence itself. By bending an otherwise rigid border element into a place of rest, the sculpture offers a quiet yet clever political statement.
4. Freedom — Zenos Frudakis in Philadelphia, USA
This bronze wall shows four human forms in various stages of breaking free, culminating in a fully emerged figure stepping into open space. It explores transformation and personal liberation.
5. Giant Slingshot Bench — Cornelia Konrads in Germany
A wooden bench is suspended by two long red straps tied to a massive Y-shaped branch. The setup mimics a slingshot ready to launch, blending utility with playful imagination.
6. Dignity — Dale Lamphere in Chamberlain, South Dakota, USA
Standing 50 feet tall, this stainless steel monument honors Native American women. The figure wears a star quilt composed of blue diamond shapes that shimmer in the wind.
7. The Kiss of Death — Unknown Artist in Barcelona, Spain
This marble sculpture in Poblenou Cemetery shows a skeleton with wings gently kissing the forehead of a lifeless young man. Created in 1930, it’s both romantic and haunting.
8. The Weight of Grief — Celeste Roberge in Portland, Maine, USA
A crouched human form is constructed from a metal frame filled with smooth river stones. The heavy material and posture communicate emotional burden through literal weight.
9. UMI — Daniel Popper in Lisle, Illinois, USA
This monumental figure is composed of sculpted wood and branches shaped into a female form. Her hands and body are formed by intertwining tree limbs, suggesting organic unity.
More: When Street Art Meets Nature (40 Photos)
Which one is your favorite?
Sculptures That Blend With Nature (10 Photos)
Public art can make boring places feel special and exciting. It surprises us, gets us thinking, and helps us see the world in a new way. Some sculptures are made to fit perfectly into their surroundings, mixing art and nature in creative ways.
Here, you’ll see 9 amazing sculptures from around the world. These artworks turn simple ideas into something incredible. From a giant clothespin pinching the ground to a zipper opening a stream, these pieces show how art can be surprising and fun.More: 30 Sculptures You (probably) Didn’t Know Existed
1. Clothespin Sculpture by Mehmet Ali Uysal in Belgium
In a peaceful park near Liège, Belgium, there’s a giant clothespin sculpture that looks like it’s pinching the ground. It was created by Turkish artist Mehmet Ali Uysal. This artwork turns a simple everyday object into something huge and fun to look at.
2. The Caring Hand by Eva Oertli and Beat Huber in Glarus, Switzerland
In Glarus, Switzerland, “The Caring Hand” by artists Eva Oertli and Beat Huber shows a giant stone hand rising from the ground, gently holding a tree. The sculpture blends perfectly with its surroundings, symbolizing care and the connection between people and nature.About and more photos: The Caring Hand – Sculpture in Glarus, Switzerland
3. Shuttlecocks by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen in Kansas City
On the lawn of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri, you’ll find giant badminton birdies scattered around. These sculptures, called “Shuttlecocks”, were created by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. They look like someone started a huge game of badminton and left the birdies behind. Each birdie is 18 feet tall and weighs over 5,000 pounds.
4. Window and Ladder by Leandro Erlich
There’s a strange sculpture by Leandro Erlich called “Window and Ladder – Too Late for Help.” It shows a tall white ladder leading to a brick wall with an open window, floating above a field.
5. Give by Lorenzo Quinn
“Give” by Italian artist Lorenzo Quinn. It shows two giant hands gently holding a growing tree, symbolizing care and responsibility for nature.More by Lorenzo Quinn: Support – Message About Climate Change
6. Giant Slingshot Bench by Artist Cornelia Konrads
In a scenic park, German artist Cornelia Konrads built a fun and creative sculpture called “Giant Slingshot Bench.” It’s a wooden bench that looks like it’s been launched into place by two giant tree branches shaped like a slingshot, complete with bright red straps.
7. Safety Pin Sculpture by Claes Oldenburg
At the de Young Museum in San Francisco, there’s a giant “Safety Pin” sculpture created by artist Claes Oldenburg. It turns an ordinary safety pin into something huge and exciting.
8. Zipper Sculpture by Yasuhiro Suzuki
In Tokyo, Japan, there’s a unique “Zipper” sculpture by artist Yasuhiro Suzuki. It looks like a giant zipper opening up the earth, showing a stream of water flowing underneath.
9. Hallow — Daniel Popper in Lisle, Illinois, USA
A monumental wooden sculpture of a woman gently opens her chest to reveal an empty space within. Surrounded by flowering trees, the piece conveys a sense of calm and introspection.More photos!: 5 Photos of Sculpture “Hallow” By Daniel Popper in Lisle, Illinois
10. “Augere” — Jon Foreman in Druidston, Wales
Stone sculpture arranged in spirals on the sand. Built from natural rocks found nearby, the piece changes shape with the tide. More!: Amazing Sculptures by Jon Foreman! (12 Photos)More: 18 Pics Of Land Art Sculptures by Jon Foreman
Which one is your favorite?
