18 Mind-Blowing Free-Form Twig Sculptures by Patrick Dougherty You Have to See

Patrick Dougherty has built a big name in the world of eco-friendly art with his massive twig sculptures. Using nothing but sticks, vines, saplings, and branches, this North Carolina artist has turned nature into jaw-dropping pieces of installation art. His style mixes wild shapes with playful, almost fairytale-like designs. You might’ve even seen his work under the popular name “Stickwork.”

Since 1985, Dougherty has made over 335 large-scale sapling sculptures, each one built on-site, blending right into the landscape. These aren’t just sculptures—they’re like walk-in worlds made from nature. In 2023, he decided to step back from the huge outdoor builds. Now he’s focusing on smaller wall art pieces that work perfectly for homes, offices, and even hotel lobbies. On top of that, he also released a stunning new book with Radius Press that highlights 16 of his most recent large-scale works.

When talking about his inspiration, Dougherty keeps it real. He says childhood memories shaped the way he works. Growing up in the North Carolina woods, surrounded by saplings and the twisty shapes of branches, gave him his creative spark. He’s always loved the winter forest—the way bare trees create shapes that feel magical and alive. For him, a simple stick isn’t just a stick. It’s a memory, a toy, a shelter, and sometimes, the start of a whole new idea. It’s this mix of nature, nostalgia, and imagination that makes his sustainable sculptures so unique.

More info: Stickwork

#1 Monks’ Cradle (2012) College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN. Photo: Thomas O’Laughlin

#2 Sortie de Cave/Free at Last (2008) Jardin des Arts, Chateaubourg, France. Photo: Charles Crie

Dougherty opened up about his creative journey, saying his love for sculpture art has taken him all over the world. His process isn’t just about weaving sticks together—it’s about chasing the perfect sapling, sometimes in the most beautiful outdoor spots you can imagine.

He’s built incredible site-specific sculptures across the globe. In Japan, he worked in the branches of a sacred tree at Rinjyo-in Temple in Chiba. In Dublin, he used a local tree to design a round tower for the Tallaght Community Art Center. His stick pyramids became a highlight in the sculpture garden at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Art in Alabama. And in Colorado, he wowed visitors with a set of twenty-foot-tall Japanese-style jars at the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail.

Every piece blends eco-friendly design with a sense of wonder, making his work stand out in the world of contemporary outdoor sculptures. If you wanna dive deeper into his projects or see more of his nature-inspired art, you can check out his official site: www.stickwork.net.

#3 A Waltz in the Woods (2015) Morris Arboretum of UPA, Philadelphia, PA. Photos: Rob Cardillo

#4 Uff da Palace (2010) Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska, MN. Photo: Todd Mulvihill

#5 Far Flung (2018) Taft Museum of Art, Cincinnati, OH Photo: Robert A. Flischel

#6 Just Around the Corner (2003) New Harmony Gallery, New Harmony, IN. Photo: Doyle Dean

#7 Cell Division (1997) Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA. Photo: Wayne Moore

#8 Standby (2001) RDU Airport, Raleigh, NC. Photo: Jerry Blow

#9 Summer Palace (2009) Morris Arboretum, Philadelphia, PA. Photo: Rob Cardill

Dougherty also broke down how he actually builds his eco-friendly sculptures. His method is all about layering. Every layer of branches adds more strength, kinda like nature’s version of reinforced concrete.
First comes the structural phase. He sets up big saplings upright, then weaves in smaller pieces to lock it all together. After that, he moves to the aesthetic part, where sticks are used like drawn lines to give the piece flow and a rich surface texture. Finally, the cosmetic phase smooths things out—covering rough spots with smaller saplings so the whole thing looks polished and complete.
To pull this off, he needs saplings in all shapes and sizes. Large ones for the main structure. Long, thin ones for weaving. And plenty of short pieces, usually less than five feet long and about three-quarters of an inch thick. It’s a mix of organic design and sustainable building techniques that turns raw branches into world-class contemporary art installations.

#10 Running in Circles (1996) TICKON Sculpture Park, Langeland, Denmark. Photo: Hatten 18

#11 Out in Front (2013) Sarasota Museum of Art, Sarasota, FL. Photo: Dick Dickinson

#12 Call of the Wild (2002) Museum of Glass, Tacoma, WA. Photo: Duncan Price

#13 Catawampus (2008) Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia, CA. Photo: Michelle Gerdes

#14 Simple Pleasures (2001) Bowdoin College Museum Of Art,Brunswick, ME. Photo: Bowdoin College

Dougherty also shared a message straight from the heart for young artists and art lovers. He said he hopes everyone feels the urge to create their own sculpture. You don’t need to be a pro. Just pick up some twigs, branches, or whatever natural material you have around and try making something—whether it’s fanciful art or something simple and functional.

He believes these little acts of hands-on creativity can change the way you see the world. For him, building with natural materials has not only shaped his career but also brought a sense of joy, balance, and meaning to his life. It’s proof that DIY sculpture projects and nature-inspired art aren’t just about the final piece—they’re about the experience, the play, and the way it connects you back to the earth.

#15 Spinoffs (1990) DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park, Lincoln, MA. Photo: George Vasquez

#16 Roundabout (1997) Tallaght Community Arts Centre, Dublin, Ireland. Photo: Karl Browne

#17 Step Right Up (2017) Ackland Art Museum of UNC, Chapel Hill, NC. Photo: Diane Davis

#18 Hocus Pocus (2008) Bittersweet Farm, Ennice, NC. Photo: Robyn Dreyer