Shelley Anderson

About Shelley Anderson

Born and brought up in the creative environment of West Cornwall, jeweler and craftsman Shelley Anderson first started toying with metal in his dad’s garage.  This lead him on to train in Silversmithing and Metal Fabrication at Falmouth College of Art.  Shelley has since gained recognition and funding to further his work in restoration from the York Conservation Society and gained a scholarship through The Queen Elizabeth craft trust.
Shelley uses new and innovative techniques to compliment his traditional metal working skills.  Inspired by roaming the coastline and landscape of West Cornwall and growing up in the industrial fishing port of Newlyn. 
By working in different metals, he allows the end result to be free, sparse and organic, sometimes dramatic and sometimes understated, but always allowing his craft to speak for itself.

Hand shaped bronze
Starting from a flat sheet Shelley forms the shapes free hand using ancient techniques that give him the most amount of control and yet freedom in the shapes he produces. Using his study of the seas, ripples and swells to inspire him.

Sea life bronzes
Shelley uses the creatures he catches while out freediving and spearfishing, taking molds directly from the specimens. He has developed innovative ways of taking molds from soft organic forms.

Chemical reactions and natural patinas
In an effort to recreate the natural forming patinas found around Newlyn harbor and the Cornish coastline, Shelley has spent the last 3 years developing chemical recipes. These then develop the textures and patinas as the chemical reactions take place. This reaction occurs in a sealed atmosphere and can take several weeks. 

With 12 years’ experience Shelley draws from a variety of metalworking skills, including silversmithing, classical restoration and metal shaping.  He has worked on projects for clients such as Disney, Eton college and Fortnum and Mason.