Scott Taylor
STONE ARTIST
I am drawn to symmetry, simplicity, and quiet precision. My goal is to create forms that feel effortless and refined, pared back, but never ordinary. Inspired by New Zealand’s ingenuity and engineering spirit and a lifelong fascination with science fiction, I approach each piece with curiosity and care. Through stone, I hope to spark imagination and invite people to view the world through a curious lens.
I grew up in Christchurch but have always had a nomadic spirit. I spent much of my life travelling around New Zealand, living out of my van while mountaineering and rock climbing. When I met Karma, we travelled overseas together for several years before the pandemic brought us back home.
I’ve long been drawn to the West Coast — its wild rivers, deep rainforests, and ancient geology. This land has been home to my family for three generations, and many of my best childhood memories are rooted here: early morning surfs with my cousins, long bushwalks with my family. Returning now and putting down roots feels like coming home.
I discovered carving in my twenties while living in Golden Bay, where I was fortunate to learn from the renowned carver Chris Bone. I began with bone and wood, but my curiosity for stone led me to the Hard Stone and Jade Carving programme at Tai Poutini Polytechnic in Greymouth, where I earned a Diploma in Arts and Design.
I’ve always embraced simplicity — fewer commitments, fewer possessions, more freedom. Working from my home studio lets me stay close to what inspires me: the landscape, the rhythm of the coast, and the quiet clarity that comes with making something slowly, by hand.
I work from a small studio overlooking the Tasman Sea, nestled among native bush and steep limestone cliffs. It’s a raw and beautiful pocket of the West Coast — wild, remote, and full of energy. Our little piece of New Zealand paradise. My studio space is simple, sometimes chaotic, but always harmonious. It gives my ideas room to unfold, surrounded by birdsong, crashing waves, and the charged calm that rolls in with every storm. It’s both epic and grounding — a space that holds me creatively.
This region has a rich geological and cultural history, shaped by resources like coal, gold, and pounamu, or greenstone, the New Zealand vernacular for nephrite jade. I carve pounamu (nephrite jade, serpentine), but often choose lesser-known stones such as pakohe (argillite) and the beautiful, wildly underrated ōnewa (greywacke) for my contemporary work. Each material has its own presence and integrity, and I hold deep respect for the cultural and natural significance of every stone I work with.
Jewellery
Each hand-carved piece is a wearable expression of craftsmanship and connection — shaped to honour the beauty and individuality of stone. We work with pounamu (nephrite jade, serpentine), as well as lesser-known but equally compelling materials like pakohe (argillite) and whatuaho (greywacke). Each stone holds its own story and invites personal expression.
Jewellery
Each hand-carved piece is a wearable expression of craftsmanship and connection — shaped to honour the beauty and individuality of stone. We work with pounamu (nephrite jade, serpentine), as well as lesser-known but equally compelling materials like pakohe (argillite) and whatuaho (greywacke). Each stone holds its own story and invites personal expression.
Sculptural work
Contemporary and expressive, our sculptural pieces celebrate the raw elegance of stone while exploring form, balance, and material contrast. Stone is our primary medium, often paired with natural elements like wood, metal, or fibre — each work a quiet invitation to reflect on nature, presence, and place.
Sculptural work
Contemporary and expressive, our sculptural pieces celebrate the raw elegance of stone while exploring form, balance, and material contrast. Stone is our primary medium, often paired with natural elements like wood, metal, or fibre — each work a quiet invitation to reflect on nature, presence, and place.