New
New
Year 8

3D Design: displaying a sculpture

I can create sculptural artwork and present it in a way that enhances its meaning through thoughtful display, lighting, and written interpretation.

New
New
Year 8

3D Design: displaying a sculpture

I can create sculptural artwork and present it in a way that enhances its meaning through thoughtful display, lighting, and written interpretation.

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Artists can employ a range of shapes and forms to create their sculptural works.
  2. The use of pedestals, plinths and lighting can enhance sculptural works in a gallery setting.
  3. Curators and artists select the information to accompany artworks to enhance the viewer's understanding of the work.

Keywords

  • Origami - the art of folding paper into different shapes or figures, like animals or objects, without cutting or using glue

  • Plinth - a small platform or base that a sculpture stands on, it helps show off the artwork and makes it easier to see

  • Curate - to choose, organise, and display artworks in a thoughtful way, like planning how an exhibition will look and what information goes with each piece

Common misconception

Sculptures must take a long time to create.

Some sculptural works can be quick responsive works.


To help you plan your year 8 art and design lesson on: 3D Design: displaying a sculpture, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

The additional materials has deeper context on artists. Be mindful of the health and safety around plaster (exothermic reaction & dust).
Teacher tip

Equipment

Paper, glue, plaster, bowl, spatulas, plastic bottles, yoghurt pots, tray, masking tape, torches black or white paper, labels, pens, scissors

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these best describes a form in sculpture?
A colour scheme with vibrant contrasted colours.
A drawing of an object using lines only.
A flat shape with patterns and details.
Correct answer: A three-dimensional object
Q2.
In art, is the illusion of space and distance on a flat surface.
Correct Answer: depth, tone, shading, perspective
Q3.
Match the word to its correct description:
Correct Answer:shape,2D and flat, like a circle or square

2D and flat, like a circle or square

Correct Answer:texture,the feel or look of a surface

the feel or look of a surface

Correct Answer:form,a 3D object with mass and volume

a 3D object with mass and volume

Q4.
Which material is best for capturing fine detail in a sculpture?
cardboard
clay
paper
Correct answer: plaster
Q5.
A rough, bumpy or scratchy surface in sculpture is an example of __________ texture.
Correct answer: raised
geometric
smooth
visual
Q6.
What does casting allow artists to do?
Change colours of an object.
Draw an object faster.
Correct answer: Make copies of an object in durable materials.
Sketch an object in 3D.

6 Questions

Q1.
What does a plinth do for a sculpture in a gallery?
keeps it warm
makes it invisible
stops it from melting
Correct answer: raises it for better viewing
Q2.
is the art of folding paper into shapes, without using glue or scissors.
Correct Answer: origami
Q3.
Match each word to its definition.
Correct Answer:origami,folding paper to make shapes

folding paper to make shapes

Correct Answer:plinth,a platform to display sculptures

a platform to display sculptures

Correct Answer:curate,organising and displaying artworks

organising and displaying artworks

Q4.
Which of these can help enhance a sculpture's appearance in a gallery?
background music
posters
frames
Correct answer: lighting
Q5.
Curators choose and arrange artworks and decide what is shown with them.
Correct Answer: information, context, details, description
Q6.
When making origami, artists use which shape of paper?
triangular
circular
Correct answer: square
rectangular

Additional material

Download additional material