11 Nov How to Choose the Right Artwork from TREAD Sculptures
How to Choose the Right Artwork from TREAD Sculptures
If you’ve ever visited TREAD Sculptures, you’ll know it’s a bit of a visual feast — reclaimed steel, glass and stone all working together across the sculpture garden. There’s a lot to take in.
And while that’s part of the magic, it can also be a bit overwhelming.
Many people arrive knowing they’d love to take a piece home, but once surrounded by so many choices, it’s hard to know where to start.
That’s where I come in. My role isn’t just to make the artwork — it’s also to help you find the one that feels right for you. Here are a few thoughts to make the process easier and more enjoyable.
1. Start with the website
Before you visit, spend a bit of time on the website looking through the different sections — sculptures, water features, fire pits, wall pieces and so on.
Make a few notes about the pieces that catch your eye or might work in your space. That helps narrow things down before you arrive.
If you can, bring a few photos of your house and garden when you visit. Seeing your space — the lines, materials and colours — helps me guide you towards pieces that will feel like they’ve always belonged there.
2. Visit our studio and gallery
Once you’re here, give yourself time to wander and take everything in. Let your eye (and your gut) do some of the work.
If you find yourself standing in front of something and feeling a quiet connection — even if you can’t explain why — pay attention to that. Art is meant to stir something, and often the right piece just feels right.
Sometimes people arrive focused on a certain type of work, only to find themselves drawn to something completely different once they see it in person. That’s all part of the process.
If you’re rural or interstate and unable to visit, no problem. We’ve some tips for you at the end of this blog.
3. Think about scale
A common mistake is underestimating the size of artwork needed for a garden or courtyard. Because the sculptures are displayed across a large area here, people often think a piece looks too big — but once it’s in a smaller garden, it can actually be just right.
There’s no point investing in something that disappears once installed. A good rule of thumb: go a little larger than you think. The right scale gives the artwork presence and lets it hold its own in the landscape.
4. Know what’s one-off (and what can be remade)
Many of my works are made from reclaimed materials, which means some pieces simply can’t be recreated. The steel might have come from a single industrial find, or the shape might have grown from something that can’t be repeated.
Other designs — especially water features and some wall pieces — can be made again in a similar way, still by hand, but following an existing design.
So if you’re deciding between a one-off piece and one we can remake, my advice is always to choose the one-off. You can always come back for something similar later, but that unique piece won’t be here again.
5. Talk to me
Sometimes it helps just to have a chat about what’s grabbing your attention. I’ve spent years helping people connect with the right artwork for their space — the right material, the right tone, the right presence.
If you’re torn between a few pieces, unsure about size, or just can’t quite picture how something will work at home, let’s talk it through. That’s part of what I do, and often the best choice becomes clear after a good conversation.
6. If you’re rural or interstate
Can’t make it to TREAD in person? No problem — I help people choose artwork remotely all the time. The same process applies: look through the website, make a shortlist, and send through photos of your space.
I’m always happy to chat by phone, look at your photos, and talk through ideas about scale, materials and what might work best for your setting.
Together we can find something that fits beautifully, even if you’re many kilometres away.
7. Packing and shipping
– We regularly send artwork across Victoria and interstate.
– Smaller works can often be sent via Australia Post.
– Larger pieces go by freight, which is usually very reasonable — especially to capital cities.
– Residential delivery can almost double the cost, so the most cost-effective option is delivery to your nearest freight depot for pickup.
– How a piece needs to be packed depends entirely on its size, shape and materials, and the packing method can make a big difference to the freight price.
– Everything is always quoted clearly before you commit, so there are no surprises.
8. Let the artwork find you
Ultimately, choosing artwork isn’t about logic — it’s about connection.
If you leave TREAD Sculptures with a piece that makes you smile every time you walk past it, then we’ve found the right one.
Tim Read