Must-visit sculpture parks around the world

Posted on 22 April 2024 By Nomvelo Masango

Outdoor art is a magnificent display of the beauty which is created when art and nature intertwine. Visiting a sculpture park presents the opportunity to enjoy some fresh air, while also appreciating interesting art.

Across the globe, there are plenty of must-see installations which exist in breathtaking natural settings.

Here are a few must-visit sculpture parks and gardens around the world: 

Vigeland Park, Norway

Vigeland Sculpture Park

Picture: Sourced

Officially known as the Vigeland Installation within Frogner Park, Vigeland Park is a beautiful space where the beauty of art meets that of nature.

The park boasts 212 sculptures which were made from as early as 1924 by talented Norwegian artist, Gustav Vigeland. He used iron, granite and bronze. Visiting the park will help you appreciate natural beauty and the work of a gifted artist.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park, United Kingdom

Opened in 1977, Yorkshire Sculpture Park was the first permanent park of its kind in the United Kingdom. Today,  the unique venue consists of both open-air and indoor exhibition spaces.

The open-air side of the magnificent art space boasts at least 100 sculptures. These include works by different artists from the UK and across the world,  including Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Mark di Suvero. Visitors are able to enjoy nature’s beauty and beautiful strolls around the lake, while also admiring some captivating and inspiring art.

Frederick Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, United States

Fredrick Meijer Sculpture Park

Picture: Sourced

The Frederick Meijer botanical garden and sculpture park is located in the Grand Rapids Charter Township in Michigan. It features over 200 artworks, making it one of the world’s most extensive collections of outdoor art.

The park boasts a stunning backdrop of plants and flowers from around the world too. You can find art by renowned artists such as Louise Bourgeois and Henry Moore. Moreover, there are frequent temporary exhibitions which showcase artists such as Pablo Picasso and George Segal.

Hakone Open-Air Museum, Japan

The Hakone Open-Air Museum was opened in 1969 as Japan’s first-ever open-air museum. Today, it is home to over 1000 works of art and sculptures.

With an awe-inspiring mountainous backdrop, the outdoor museum offers a magical experience and is  worth the visit. What’s more, it contains one of the world’s largest collections of Henry Moore sculptures. There are also a number of great sculptural artists from across the world which are well-represented at the outdoor museum.

Chapungu Sculpture Park, Zimbabwe

Chapungu Sculpture Park

Picture: Sourced

The Chapungu Sculpture Park is one of Africa’s most renowned cultural landmarks. It is situated in Harare, Zimbabwe and boasts more than 80 works by different Zimbabwean stone sculptors.

The park is dedicated to showcasing the rich heritage which can be found in African stone sculpture. It also serves to portray a traditional African perspective of family. There are eight universal themes across the park, and the sculptures are handmade of stone from Zimbabwe. Visitors can expect art which is deeply expressive, powerful and direct.

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ALSO READ: SA Sculpture Parks and Gardens to Visit




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