Ice sculpture, Ottawa, Canada

© S. Garcia Cournoyer/Alam

Ice sculpture

Ice sculptures have a limited lifespan and so are usually created for special events, such as weddings and parties. They are carved from blocks of ice, which must be carefully selected based on the type of sculpture the artist wishes to make. The ideal ice should be made from pure, clean water, with no impurities. Ice sculptors will use a range of tools, including chainsaws and chisels, to create their sculptures, which may only last hours, depending on the temperature of its environment.

There are several ice festivals held around the world that host ice-carving competitions. The sculpture in our photo was created for Winterlude – a winter festival held every February in the Ottawa-Gatineau region of Canada.