Sculpture season

Some pieces must be stored inside over the winter, but those that are weatherproof add a special dimension to the garden when gilded with snow.

I had the chance to visit the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden in Winnipeg recently and viewed a collection of beautiful bronze sculptures that were donated to the city by Mol, a world reknowned sculptor and artist who immigrated to Canada in 1948. His work includes busts of prominent people and religious leaders, wildlife and figures.

For those who have admired sculpture gardens or have always wanted to add statuary to their property, there are a few basics to keep in mind.

Large statues are out of scale for a small garden. Consider the style of your landscape before selecting a statue and take your time when positioning it. A Venus de Milo that looks great in a very formal garden would be out of place in a wildflower garden. Modern, abstract artwork might not work in an old-fashioned rose garden.

One tip for positioning a statue is to imagine it as art on a wall. It should not announce its presence in a blaring way, but instead tastefully. Place dark statuary against silver foliage, or in front of a shrub that will have abundant white blooms.

Indisputably, the best-placed statues are those positioned by those with an eye for artistic expression so if you know someone like that, invite them over for their opinion.

Be wary of clutter. In most cases, less is more and one or two more expensive, quality pieces of art are far better than many cheap ones. Some sculptures made of stone, clay or wood can be quite reasonable in price.

However for bronze sculptures, you may have to take out a loan. Moderate sized pieces can cost $10,000 or more. Professionals estimate a balanced investment in statuary at one or two percent of the total value of your property. Wise homeowners spend roughly 10 percent on total landscaping costs. The outlay is worth it when it comes time to sell.

A unique approach to sculpture in several parts of the province is the carving of tree trunks into people, animals and fantasy figures. Truro and Shelburne are two communities that come to mind.