The Art of Illumination: How Lighting Elevates the Experience of Sculpture

A couple of weeks ago, the photographer, James Glossop, came to my studio, or perhaps more accurately described, my garage, where I work as a figurative sculptor. It was a beautiful day and the sunshine was trying to break through the small windows, a beam of light bringing the collection of sculptures – various portraits, busts and figures – to life.

The idea of the photoshoot was to promote my participation in York Open Studios, an annual event where artists across the city open their studios to the public. It was a success. The picture of me putting the finishing touches to a sculpture of Steven McRae, principal dancer with The Royal Ballet, was published in The Times the next day.

Many of the visitors who came to my studio over the weekend had seen the picture in The Times. What was interesting however was that one of them was rather put out that the sculpture of Steven McRae didn’t look as impressive as she thought it looked in the paper.

Shaping Perception Through Light

In the world of visual arts, a sculpture's ability to captivate goes beyond the mastery of form—it hinges on how it interacts with its environment. Among the most critical, yet often underestimated, factors is lighting. Whether in a gallery, museum, or outdoor space, the right lighting can transform a sculpture. For the photoshoot, the sculpture had been placed on a stand, in front of the garage windows, through which softly diffused natural light, enhanced by a strategically placed photographers’ studio lamp, was coming from outside. For the Open Studios event, because of the constraints of space, the same sculpture had been placed on a high shelf and was lit by smaller spot lights as there was limited natural light. It made a significant difference.

Similarly, my partner’s favourite sculpture, a bronze figure of principal dancer Reece Clarke with a blue-green patina, that had been displayed in a corner of our living room against dark red walls, didn’t look as impressive with the overhead lighting in the workshop. Other sculptures however, took on a new life and looked much more impressive than they had in their original location with different lighting.

Sculpture is inherently three-dimensional, inviting us to explore its lines, contours, and textures from all angles. Lighting plays an essential role in revealing these nuances, guiding the viewer's eye to details that might otherwise be lost. Light and shadow can create a sense of drama, depth, or even movement, breathing life into the piece.

Conversely, poor lighting can obscure the artist's vision. Harsh, direct light may flatten the sculpture’s depth, while overly dim lighting might fail to highlight its intricacies. It's a delicate balance—one that can either enhance or detract from the work.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to lighting. The type of material—be it marble, bronze, or ceramic—has its own relationship with light. For example, a reflective bronze sculpture benefits from diffused lighting to minimize glare, while a piece with subtle textures might need directional lighting to emphasize its intricacies. The colour temperature of lighting is another important consideration and changes the colour and feeling of the work.

So, when you are buying a piece of sculpture, think carefully about lighting as it can both enhance and diminish the beauty of the work.