The Royal Botanic Gardens of Sydney

Sculpture at the Botanic Gardens

Sculpture is often carved in stone or wood or formed in metal or clay but they can be made from almost anything. 

Mare and Foal Bronze sculpture in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney

A sculpture may just be an art piece, but it can also serve as a reminder or memorial of a past event.

An example is the Stolen Generations Memorial at the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan, which was created by sculptor Badger Bates and opened in 2007 as a place to reflect on the impacts of the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families.

The outdoor setting of a garden is an ideal place to display works of art such as sculpture. Explore the examples of sculpture at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, and design and make artworks in 3D for your own art show at home or at school.  

  • Boy Extracting Thorn, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. 
    Boy Extracting Thorn, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. 
  • stolen generation
    The  Stolen  Generations  Memorial At the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan. 
  • copper sculpture
    Palm by Bronwyn Oliver, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney.
  • sculpture wish a view
  • Sculpture using recycled materials
    Sculpture using recycled materials
  • A Cassowary on Show
    A realistic metal-framed cassowary model in the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney has a body of plants. 
  • arts close up
    Children’s art created at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Is this art or sculpture?

Activities: Sculpture at the Gardens

1. Explore the gardens

  • Explore the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney using Google Streetview and try to find at least three of the statues and sculptures on display there. Start here at the Woolloomooloo  Gate.

  • Please note: This is suited for Google Chrome

2.  Make a sculpture

  • Go on a virtual Sculpture Walk of the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney to learn more about some of the artworks.

  • Get creative! Choose your favourite sculpture and create your own mini version using materials that you have at home such as LEGO, wood blocks, papier mache or recyclable materials.  

3. Make a sculpture using natural materials

  • Create a 3D work of art inspired by nature. Use play dough, modelling clay, or glue together garden materials like sticks, leaves and pine cones. 

4. Create an outdoor gallery

  • Gather all the artworks you’ve made in this Garden Art unit. Make an art label card for each one. 

  • Display your artwork in different spots in your garden or around the school. 

  • Then give an art tour to your family or friends, and tell them about each artwork.