Sculpture is made to express emotions ideas and values in a lasting way combining art aesthetics meaning and permanence.
Throughout human history, people have sought ways to express themselves, leave a mark, and solidify their thoughts. In this process, spanning from figures drawn on cave walls to monuments erected in city squares, sculpture has become not just an art form but also a language of expression. Sometimes, a human conveys with form what they cannot explain with words. At times, they wish to make an emotion, a belief, or a power visible. This is why a statue is made. Because humans want their thoughts and feelings to be permanent. A statue carries the spirit of the era in which it was created and transmits that spirit to future generations. This transmission is different from writing; it is silent but powerful. It makes the viewer question, think, and often affects them without providing a direct answer.
What is the purpose of making a statue?
The most fundamental reason for making a statue is the need to communicate. Throughout history, people have created statues to remember individuals, events, and concepts they deemed important. A statue of a leader, a thinker, or a hero does not just represent that person; it also symbolizes the values of an era. Besides this, sculpture is born from an aesthetic need. Humans want to beautify their surroundings and give meaning to their living spaces. Statues located in parks, squares, or private areas provide an identity to the space. Furthermore, sculpture has been used to symbolize power and authority. From ancient times to the present, many civilizations have commissioned grand and impressive statues to demonstrate their existence and might. Here, the goal is not only art; it is to deliver a message, create an impact, and ensure permanence. In this respect, a statue is both an individual and a social tool.
Why is sculpture still important?
Although we live in a digital age today, the value of sculpture has not diminished. On the contrary, among rapidly consumed content, a statue is one of the rare elements that forces one to stop and look. A statue slows a person down and invites them to reflect. That is why they are still made. In the modern world, sculpture does not only narrate the past; it interprets the present and asks questions about the future. Through statues, artists draw attention to social issues, make individual emotions visible, and establish a silent dialogue with the viewer. Additionally, in personal and commercial spaces, a statue is preferred as an indicator of prestige and originality. A custom-made statue reflects the identity, taste, and values of its owner. Therefore, making a statue is not just a production, but a process of building meaning. /
Ancient statues lack noses because their protruding and fragile structures were broken over time due to physical impacts natural erosion and symbolic vandalism.
Ancient statues lack heads and arms because these thin parts were broken off the main body over time due to earthquakes physical accidents and symbolic attacks.
