“There can be so much spirit, presence and potential embodied in a three dimensional form that shares our personal space... My aim is to invoke a response, or evoke a memory, awaken something visceral that we can relate to, even if we don’t know what it is or why it moves us."

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About Jason
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Jason Hale Tillman is a Sculptor working primarily with mixed metal alloys, such as stainless and mild steel, brass, bronze and copper. His work often evokes the geometries and forces of the natural world, such as tectonics, decay and erosion, abstracted and frozen in time. With a background in Architectural and Industrial design, many of Jason’s works have an architectonic underpinning, and explore the intersection between human and earth.

Jason works from his seaside studio in Marlborough, at the top of the South Island of New Zealand, and can ship internationally.

Projects: Chronology

  • Silent Spring wall sculpture

    Silent Spring

    Stainless steel with blackened timber, 2026

    60cm x 190cm x 8 cm

    AVAILABLE

    CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

  • Nova sculpture

    Nova

    Steel, brass and timber, 2026

    90cm x 60cm x 12cm

    Private Commission

  • Hyperion sculpture

    Hyperion

    Stainless steel, mild steel and brass, with lighting, 2025

    63cm x 285cm x 9cm

    Private Commission

    CLICK HERE for more details

  • Into the Wind sculpture

    Into the Wind

    Stainless steel with translucent enamel, 2025

    130cm x 156cm x 20cm (as triptych)

    SOLD

    CLICK HERE for more details

  • Mirage sculpture

    Mirage

    Patinated stainless and rusted mild steel, 2025

    36.5cm x 160cm x 8cm

    AVAILABLE, Please enquire for details

  • Lost River Sculpture

    Lost River

    Steel and stainless steel, 2025

    60cm x 190cm x 8 cm

    SOLD

  • Unbroken sculpture

    Unbroken

    Stainless and mild steel, 2024

    46cm x 130cm x 7cm

    SOLD

  • After the Fall sculpture

    After the Fall

    Stainless steel, with patina and enamel finishes, 2024

    100cm x 100cm x 8 cm

    SOLD

  • Quicksilver sculpture

    Quicksilver

    Stainless steel, 2024

    17cm x 100cm x 25cm

    Private Commission

  • Decorative sculptures on a table featuring black and white feathers and abstract shapes with pink and gray bases, set against a neutral background.

    In Memory (Proposals)

    Proposal maquettes, 2024/2025

    Private Commission

  • Parallax Sculpture

    Parallax

    Rusted mild steel, with rotating wall mounting, 2023

    85.2cm dia. x 14cm

    SOLD

  • Prometheus sculpture

    Prometheus

    Stainless and mild steel, brass, 2023

    66.5cm x 209.5cm x 8cm

    Private Commission

  • Shangri-la Sculpture

    Shangri-La

    Stainless and Corten steel, copper, 2023

    78cm x 78cm x 16cm

    SOLD

  • Codex sculpture

    Codex

    Stainless and mild steel, brass, 2023

    165.6cm x 165.6cm x 8cm

    SOLD

    CLICK HERE for more details

  • Jason Hale Tillman Drift sculpture

    Drift

    Corten and stainless steel, 2022

    34cm x 130cm x 9cm

    Private Commission

  • Haiku Sculpture

    Haiku

    Steel, 2022

    87.5cm x 54.5cm x 3cm

    SOLD

  • Severance sculpture

    Severance

    Stainless and mild steel with brass, 2022

    38cm x 170cm x 8.5cm

    SOLD

  • Jason Hale Tillman Vesespertine sculpture

    Vespertine

    Stainless and mild steel, 2021

    75cm x 240cm x 27cm

    Private Commission

  • Jason Hale Tillman Lacuna sculpture

    Lacuna

    Mixed metals with blackened void, 2021

    63cm x 221cm x 11cm

    Private Commission

  • Jason Hale Tillman Strata Sculpture

    Strata

    Mixed metals, 2021

    67.5cm x 155cm x 17cm

    Private Commission

  • Coil Sculpture

    Coil

    Rusted and stainless steel with bronze details, 2021

    25cm x 156cm x 23cm

    SOLD

  • Jason Hale Tillman Skylark sculpture

    Skylark

    Stainless steel, brushed and powdercoat finishes, 2020

    86cm x 177.5cm x 13cm

    AVAILABLE

  • Jason Hale Tillman Chronos sculpture

    Chronos

    Domed steel with stainless steel inset, with rotating wall mounting, 2020

    85cm dia. x 14cm

    SOLD

  • Point Zero

    Point Zero

    Steel with torched enamel and wood frame, 2020

    73cm x 73cm x 11cm

    SOLD

  • Te Awa sculpture

    Te Awa (The River)

    Stainless and rusted mild steel, 2020

    160cm x 160cm x 9cm

    SOLD

    CLICK HERE to see more details

  • Core steel sculpture

    Core

    Stainless and Corten steel, 2020

    125.5cm x 23m x 14cm

    SOLD

  • Aqualine sculpture

    Aqualine

    Steel with zinc and powdercoat finish, 2019

    30cm x 225cm x 24cm

    Private Commission

    CLICK HERE for more details

  • Release sculpture

    Release

    Stainless steel, bronze and copper with wood frame, 2019

    75cm x 75cm x 8cm

    SOLD

  • Breach wall sculpture

    Breach

    Steel with torched enamel finish and aluminium frame, 2019

    53cm x 166cm x 13cm

    SOLD

  • Medusa wall sculpture

    Medusa

    Steel with powdercoat finish, 2019

    78cm x 92cm x 21cm

    SOLD

  • Midnight Passage sculpture

    Midnight Passage

    Stainless steel and brass on carved wood, 2019

    40cm x 40cm x 8 cm

    SOLD

  • Shard sculpture

    Shard

    Stainless steel with marble base, 2019

    82cm x 25cm x 23cm

    AVAILABLE, enquire for more details

  • Swept Away wall sculpture

    Swept Away

    Steel with rusted finish, 2019

    47.5cm x 170cm x 30cm

    SOLD

  • Precipice sculpture

    Precipice

    Steel, 2019

    80cm x 90cm x 17cm

    SOLD

  • Coda Sculpture

    Coda

    Mixed metals, 2018

    88cm x 186cm x 13cm

    SOLD

  • Nexus sculpture

    Nexus

    Steel and bronze with torched enamel finish, 2018

    650cm dia. x 11cm

    SOLD

  • Cipher sculpture

    Cipher

    Stainless and mild steel with etched bronze medallion, 2018

    75cm x 40cm x 8cm

    SOLD

  • Passage sculpture

    Passage

    Mixed metals, acid etched with a torch-blackened wood void, 2018

    47cm x 163cm 13cm

    SOLD

  • River wall sculpture

    River

    Steel with rust and enamel finish, torch-blackened rotating wall mount, 2018

    70cm dia. x 15cm

    SOLD

  • Lands End sculpture

    Lands End

    Stainless and mild steel with bronze and copper details and wood frame, 2018

    53.5cm x 165cm x 13.5cm

    SOLD

  • Omaka Koru sculpture

    Omaka Koru

    Stainless steel, 2018

    48cm x 9cm (approx.)

    Private Commission

  • Allegro Sculpture

    Allegro

    Mixed metals, 2018

    42cm x 122cm x 9cm

    SOLD

  • Crux sculpture

    Crux

    Stainless and rusted steel with wood frame, 2017

    46cm x 145cm x 11.5cm

    SOLD

  • Matrix Sculpture

    Matrix

    Stainless and rusted steel, 2017

    57.5cm x 160cm x 12.5cm

    SOLD

  • Rerenga sculpture

    Rerenga

    Stainless and rusted steel with bronze and nickel details, 2017

    27cm x 101.5cm x 11.5cm

    Private Commission

  • Riven sculpture

    Riven

    Stainless steel with torchwork finish, and carved, blackened wood dome, 2017

    70cm dia. x 10cm

    SOLD

  • Strike sculpture

    Strike

    Steel with rust and torched powdercoat finish, 2017

    120cm x 180cm x 12cm (approx.)

    SOLD

  • Tesselation sculpture

    Tesselation

    Stainless steel with torchwork and patina finish and wood frame, 2017

    47.5cm x 145cm x 11.5cm

    SOLD

  • Kahu Kura Sculpture

    Kahu Kura (Red Feather)

    Stainless and rusted steel with brass details, 2016

    50cm x 68cm x 9cm

    SOLD

  • Alluvium Sculpture

    Alluvium

    Rusted steel with copper, torched wood backer and wood frame, 2016

    47.5cm x 145cm x 9 cm

    SOLD

  • Morphosis sculpture

    Morphosis

    Stainless and rusted steel, 2016

    SOLD

  • Phosphor Sculpture

    Phosphor

    Stainless steel with torchwork and sandblasted finish, and blackened wood base, 2016

    41cm x 135cm x 9cm

    SOLD

  • Spirit Bird sculptures

    Spirit Birds (Limited Series)

    Mixed metals, 2015/2016

    Various sizes

    SOLD

  • Secrets wall sculpture

    Secrets

    Stainless steel and copper with wood frame, 2016

    45cm x 145cm x 11cm

    SOLD

  • Spring Tide sculpture

    Spring Tide

    Stainless and rusted steel with mixed metal details, 2016

    37cm x 127cm x 14cm

    SOLD

  • Stranded sculpture

    Stranded

    Stainless steel with carved and blackened wood on stone base, 2016

    42cm x 84cm x 12cm

    SOLD

  • Wisp/Ra sculptures

    Wisp/Ra

    Mixed metals on stone bases, 2016

    SOLD

  • Genesis sculpture

    Genesis

    Stainless and Corten steel with quarried stone, 2015

    85cm dia. (approx., sculpture only)

    Private Commission

    CLICK HERE for more details

  • Richter sculpture

    Richter (1)

    Rusted steel with blackened void and wood frame, 2015

    SOLD

  • Southern Skies sculpture

    Southern Skies

    Stainless steel, 2016

    SOLD

  • Talisman sculpture

    Talisman

    Stainless steel and carved wood, with torchwork, 2015

    Private Commission

  • All Moments sculpture

    All Moments

    Steel and copper with bronze details and carved wood plinth, 2014

    200cm x 25cm x 25cm (with plinth)

    SOLD

  • Crucible sculpture

    Crucible

    Stainless and mild steel with wood frame, 2014

    45cm x 102cm x 13cm

    SOLD

  • Mercury Rising sculpture

    Mercury Rising

    Stainless steel and copper with painted back panel, 2014

    110cm x 210cm x 17cm

    SOLD

  • Oculus sculpture

    Oculus

    Stainless and rusted steel with carved and charred wood, and bronze details, 2014

    SOLD

  • Wanderer sculpture

    Wanderer

    Stainless and mild steel with torchwork and gilt detail, 2014

    80cm dia. x 9cm

    SOLD

  • Janus sculpture

    Janus

    Stainless and Corten steel with bronze detail and wood plinth, 2014

    217cm x 40.5cm x 25cm (with plinth)

    SOLD

  • Rubicon sculpture

    Rubicon

    Rusted steel and bronze details on carved wood panel with wood frame, 2014

    57cm x 142cm x 9cm

    SOLD

  • Whispers sculpture

    Whispers

    Mixed metals, with blackened wood panel, 2014

    72cm dia. x 10cm

    SOLD

  • Kabuki sculpture

    Kabuki

    Copper and steel, with carved interchangeable “masks” and Corten steel base, 2013

    35cm x 63cm x 18cm

    SOLD

  • Cache sculpture

    Cache

    Stainless and rusted steel with bronze details and wood plinth, 2013

    140cm x 110cm x 20cm (with plinth)

    SOLD

  • Break sculpture

    Break

    Steel, 2010

    102cm x 78cm x 12cm

    SOLD

  • Knots sculpture

    Knots

    Rusted steel with blackened rope, 2010

    51cm x 166cm x 10cm

    SOLD

Explore Further

Silent Spring

The title “Silent Spring” speaks to the absence of the serpentine course at the heart of the work; a chasm, a void, a mystery… as well as the barren, minimalist 3-D landscape of the steel surface. This stainless steel triptych has hand-hammered relief giving it a 3-D topography, and a patinated finish highlighting the riverine void. I have hand-brushed the surface to give it dynamic and changeable lighting reflections as you move around the work, and as the light changes throughout the day.

Hyperion

Hyperion detail 1

This stainless steel wall relief incorporates inner layers of acid-etched mild steel and brass, each with a unique hand-printed texture to enhance the depth and detail. Dark patina gives the layers a rustic and weathered feel. Internal LED lighting is interwoven between each of the layers, offering a completely different characteristic as the light levels change; dark depths become wells of light, and shining surfaces turn opaque silhouettes.

Hyperion detail 2

Into The Wind

Close-up of a metallic sculpture resembling a feather with detailed ridges, mounted on a white wall, casting a shadow.

Hammer-formed stainless steel forms, acting as “memento mori” of the now-extinct New Zealand Huia bird, considered sacred to the Maori peoples. The tail feathers were used in death rituals and to honour the mana, or life-force, of the dead. The 3 forms can be placed in any arrangement on the wall, and have a translucent enamel finish to emulate the colours of the Huia.

Decorative wall art of a large, metallic feather mounted on a plain wall.

Aqualine

Modern wall decoration with twisted metallic ribbons hanging above a water feature with small waterfalls.

This was a challenging project, working out the details and water flow patterns to fit an existing linear water outlet. The idea was to break up the loud, heavy flow of the waterfall, and accentuate the aesthetics in an important entertaining area of the client’s indoor/outdoor space.

Modern metal wall art sculpture with intertwined, twisting silver strips against a dark background.

Codex

Close-up of a metallic abstract sculpture with stacked, irregularly-shaped metal pieces in bronze and copper tones.

Codex was the first in a series of works utilising the unified geometric fracture, where elements wrap and fold around the edges, and layers seem to float in the void. This sense of rupture, fracture, release, and exposure of underlying layers speaks to a fascination with the geologic forces and the impact of seismic events.

Two panoramic metal abstract artworks with layered textured sections, displayed on contrasting dark and light walls in an art gallery, with a man inspecting the piece on the dark wall.

Genesis

Metal sculpture of a globe with swirling bands, situated outdoors among trees and large rocks.

The development of the design for Genesis grew into more than just the sculpture itself, into a rock garden setting for the piece. We spent time at a local quarry selecting the right stones for each element, and carefully placed them with the tractor. It created an impactful plinth, and area for reflection of the work.

A man with a beard and gray T-shirt stands with arms crossed, leaning against boulder and next to a spherical metal sculpture, in a grass field of an orchard.
Outdoor sculpture featuring a mosaic metal sphere balanced on large rocks in a grassy area with orchard trees in the background

Te Awa (The River)

Close-up of rust and stainless steel metal abstract sculpture with curved, layered pieces.

Before sandblasting and building up the rusted finish on the raw steel, I took photos of the panels in their buffed, reflective state, alluding to stainless steel as another finish option. I also mocked up the 3 panels as large scale freestanding elements, rather than wall mounted, as a proposal for a monumental outdoor work.

Side-by-side images of a rust-colored abstract wooden art installation. The left image shows it outdoors with a person and a child observing it, and the right image shows it indoors with two people standing in front of it.
Set of three vertical metal sculptures outdoors, each with wavy, layered designs, set against a backdrop of trees and grass.

Custom Commissions

Rather than search endlessly for just the right artwork for your space, commission a unique piece specific to your needs and vision.

Jason’s background in architecture and design offers a unique understanding of space and interiors, and your ideas can be translated into sculptural form. With the ability to work together through preliminary sketches and maquettes, Jason can develop a design to suit the scale, budget, timeline and aesthetic for your space.

Jason has a long history of successful custom projects for private collectors. Contact Jason for references and testimonials, or to enquire further about the process.

Here are some comments from satisfied clients:‍ ‍

“Thank you Jason... Your fantastic help thru the design process and the final piece of art was even better than expected. Your quality of materials and production is amazing. Being able to work with you through the process with our input was a great experience for us.  You were very receptive to our ideas, listened and made suggestions and came up with a scale drawing which we loved - you were great to work with! We love that we have a very special piece of art, having met you and enjoyed your company and collaborated with you throughout the process.”   -Richard Vincent, Auckland NZ

“During my ten year tenure in Blenheim I commissioned Jason to craft four pieces of art in metal.  Two were for outdoors and two for the interior of our home. Jason’s extraordinary affinity and skill in working with metal and his patination techniques meant just about anything was possible in design.  The process of initially unfolding my conceptual ideas lead to more detailed and thought provoking discussions as Jason’s drawings started to bring our combined design ideas to light. The process could be quite exciting. Whilst the end result was a Tillman work, whatever expectations I had in my own mind at the beginning seemed fully realised. Could I be so bold as to say I had some ownership of the end design? I think Jason might afford me that privilege, simply because of the collaborative approach he encourages”. -Gregory Carter, Christchurch, NZ

“In 2021 we chanced on a visit to Jason’s workshop whilst holidaying in Marlborough. We were planning a renovation and, because of that visit, commissioned Jason to design a wall sculpture. Jason provided detailed drawings of his ideas and once we accepted a concept he completed the work in a timely fashion. It duly arrived with detailed installation advice so our builder could easily and correctly place “Vespertine”. We love the work and because of the personal process we went through have a deep connection to it. Jason was easy and professional to work with. I can highly recommend him to anyone wishing to commission a work from him.” -Maryanne Marlow, Arrowtown, NZ

“We first found Jason’s work in an Art Gallery in Nelson (Parker) where we subsequently purchased one of his pieces. A year on we approached Jason to commission a further piece for our wall based on some similar work from his website involving different metals. Jason was fantastic to deal with throughout the design process, giving us ideas and making this piece individual to us. He kept us well informed of where it was throughout each phase and we loved his passion and attention to detail. Our art was in three pieces and so much care was given to the safe delivery along with detailed instructions for hanging options. On arrival it was everything we had asked for and more. Jason is not just an amazing artist but a true creative craftsman. We love our two separate pieces of art beautifully and intricately detailed. The work and passion he puts into each piece is extraordinary. He’s a master artist and we’re very lucky to have him living in Aotearoa.” - Sheree Newsome, Arrowtown, NZ

Gallery Representation

Currently Jason’s work can be found at the Church House Gallery, 208 High Street in Motueka, New Zealand. For a link to the gallery, CLICK HERE

Previous Gallery representation has included the Parker Gallery in Nelson and The Icon Gallery in Upper Moutere, NZ. His work has also been shown at the Refinery Gallery in Nelson and the Marlborough Art Gallery in Blenheim, as well as various art shows around New Zealand.

Get In Touch

From conceptualizing to creation, together we can fulfill your sculptural vision. We will collaborate to develop and deliver a bespoke design and quality craftsmanship we’ll all be proud of for a lifetime.

About Jason

A man with dark hair, a gray beard, wearing a gray striped shirt, sitting at a table, sketching architectural plans or drawings with a black pen, with an artwork on the wall behind him.

Bio

Born and raised by artist parents in Upstate New York in the USA, Jason Hale Tillman moved to Brooklyn in New York City to study at the Pratt Institute School of Architecture in 1988, upon receiving a merit-based scholarship to attend the 5 year program. After completing an additional semester of studies abroad at Pratt’s studios in Rome, Italy, he graduated with honors in 1994, earning a Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) degree and a minor in Industrial Design.

After working for both architects and designers in New York City and Boulder Colorado for many years, primarily designing and building furniture, lighting, and retail store fixtures, Jason moved permanently to New Zealand in 2007. He now works full time as an artist and designer, with a particular focus on abstract metal sculpture, usually incorporating an interplay of contrasting metals and finishes. Since staging a large solo exhibition at the Refinery Gallery in Nelson NZ in 2011, most of Jason’s work has been sold thru the Icon Gallery and the Parker Gallery near Nelson, annual group shows such as the NZ Art Show in Wellington, and thru custom commissions. He currently shows work at the Church House Gallery in Motueka, NZ.

Jason works from his beachside workshop and studio in the Marlborough region of New Zealand.

Contact

Email: jason@tillmanstudios.com

Facebook: Tillman Studios

Phone: (+64) 021 804 191