Garden sculptures mainly include the following types:
Monumental sculptures: This type of sculpture is usually based on people or events in history or real life, and is used to commemorate important figures and major historical events. They are mostly outdoors, such as the group statues of martyrs in Nanjing Yuhuatai and the statue of Lu Xun in Shanghai Hongkou Park.
Thematic sculptures: This type of sculpture is used to illustrate the theme of a specific place, environment or building. It must be organically combined with these environments and point out or sublimate the theme. For example, the moon gate sculptures in Suzhou gardens and the relief wall of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an.
Figurative Realism: Including sculptures with historical figures and folk themes, such as statues of cultural celebrities such as Confucius and Li Bai, or folk scenes showing market life (such as bronze statues of chess and drinking tea). This type of sculpture is suitable for cultural theme parks.
Abstract Geometric Type: Modern style parks prefer streamlined sculptures made of stainless steel, fiberglass and other materials, such as "Cloud Gate" in Chicago Millennium Park. This type of sculpture enhances interactivity through light and shadow changes.
Eco-interaction category: including bionic designs such as "leaf benches" and "water drop sculptures", as well as dynamic sculptures (such as wind-driven devices), which can change their shapes with natural forces.
Cultural symbol category: Sculptures with regional characteristics, such as the Moon Gate sculptures in Suzhou Gardens and the relief wall of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an, can enhance the cultural attributes of the park.
