What is metal sculpture?

Metal sculpture is an art form made from metals such as copper, aluminum, and stainless steel through casting or forging processes. Its core techniques include metal casting and hand forging. Sculpture is often praised as "the art of bronze and stone," with bronze referring broadly to various metal materials. Metals that can be used for casting also include silver, gold, brass, mild steel, and lead.

In casting, the lost-wax method creates a hollow mold by melting a wax model, allowing for the creation of complex shapes. This method was already used in bronze casting in China during the Warring States period, as seen in bronze artifacts from the Tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng and the Eastern Han Dynasty's "Flying Horse of Gansu." The terracotta shell method, introduced in the 1960s, involves layering a refractory material onto the surface of the wax model to form an outer shell capable of withstanding the pressure of high-temperature molten metal.