Metal
Shaped By
Hand.
Bespoke sculpture crafted from stainless steel, Corten, copper, and hardwood. Made to fit its environment, grow with it over time, and feel like it was always meant to be there.
See the work →
The Artist
Where Raw
Metal Finds
Form
I make sculptures from mixed mediums — mainly stainless steel, Corten, copper, and hardwoods — along with found stone and other materials I come across.
I'm interested in creating pieces that work with their surroundings. I'll often meet clients on site, getting a feel for the space and the people who live there, and try to bring both the environment and their character into the work.
I'm not trying to capture a single moment. I'm aiming to make something that sits comfortably in its environment, grows with it over time, and reflects the kind of forms you see in nature.
"I want the piece to feel like it belongs exactly where it is. That it adds to the environment — or even
creates a new one — just by being there."
Cohen Shirley — Coco Sculptures, Nelson NZ
The Work
Sculpture &
Craft
Commissions
Every Piece
Starts With A
Conversation
What I enjoy most is when someone comes to me with a space and an idea — even if they’re not quite sure what they want yet. That conversation is where the work really starts. We figure out something that suits both the space and the person, and then I get to work out how to bring it to life.
The scale and setting can vary a lot — from a courtyard or garden bed that needs something to anchor it, through to an exposed hilltop where a larger piece can move with the wind. It’s less about a specific type of client, and more about creating something that genuinely fits where it’s going.
The Process
Mady By
Hand.
From Scratch
The Studio
Inside the
Workshop
The studio is a shed on my property in Nelson — right next to the house, looking out over Tasman Bay and surrounding apple orchards, with forest around it. It’s a pretty grounding place to work.
Being in that environment has a big influence on what I make. It keeps me connected to natural forms and helps carry that sense of landscape and movement through into the work.
- Custom Garden Sculpture
- Copper & Steel Commissions
- Interior Statement Pieces
- Public & Council Installations
- Restoration & Repair
- Installation Service
Materials & Care
Chosen for
How They
Age
Different metals behave in very different ways. Choosing the right one comes down to the result you want and the environment it’s going into. That balance between change and permanence is something I think about with every piece.
Corten Steel
Develops a stable outer rust patina that protects the steel underneath. Once formed, it holds that weathered look and lasts well over time. Ideal when you want something that settles into the landscape.
Care
Requires little to no maintenance. Designed to naturally weather and stabilise in its environment.
Stainless Steel
316 marine grade stainless is ideal for coastal environments. It holds its finish and resists corrosion even close to the ocean — a clean, consistent choice for both indoor and outdoor work.
Care
Very low maintenance. Occasional clean with a damp cloth if it picks up marks from dirt or bird droppings.
Copper
Brings a warmth that steel doesn't have. I often use heat to draw colour into the surface, creating a range of tones from within the metal itself. Over time it develops a natural green patina — the piece continues to change as it ages.
Care
Allow the patina to develop naturally, or apply a clear wax once or twice a year to slow the process and maintain the original colour.
Built to
Last
My philosophy is about creating something that fits into a space and genuinely adds to it. Not just something that looks good — something that has a purpose in that environment. That might be as a focal point, something functional, or something that connects the space to what’s around it. Work that sits naturally where it is, feels considered, and was always meant to be there.
The sculpture Cohen created for our garden has become the centrepiece of the entire space. Every person who visits asks about it first. It’s one of those rare things that makes a place feel truly complete.
Available Works
Shop &
Original Pieces
A selection of original and limited-edition sculptures available for purchase. Each piece is one of a kind — made in the studio and ready to find its home.
Available works coming soon.
In the meantime, get in touch to discuss a custom commission or enquire about current availability.
Get in Touch