Metal Sculpture by Alan Williams
Alan Williams is a British contemporary metal sculpture artist who works with reclaimed materials, mechanical salvage and forged steel, creating artworks featuring wildlife, sea life and mythological creatures.
His work explores the relationship between the manufactured and natural worlds, transforming objects once defined by human utility into artworks inspired by organic forms, growth and living systems. The work gives functional and industrial artefacts a second life, allowing objects designed to control, contain, construct or produce to become something unexpected, expressive and apparently alive.
Alan works from his forge near Henfield, in the Sussex South Downs. He welcomes visits to his studio by prior arrangement.
Explore Alan’s metal sculpture
“Whether it’s the tentacles of an octopus, or the feather plumage of an osprey, I want you to feel the history of these objects as they are returned to life in a new form.”
Sea Life Sculptures
Octopuses, seahorses, fish and other marine forms feature heavily in Alan’s work.
Birds
Bird sculpture gives Alan room to work with very different forms, from the intricate plumage and watchful presence of an owl to the powerful wings and articulated feathers of birds of prey.
Fine detail in the feathers and foliage is balanced by an intense focus on expression, capturing each bird’s character down to the life in its eyes.
Animals & Wildlife
The energy and diversity of the animal world are recurring themes in Alan’s work, from the strength and presence of deer and big cats to the delicate forms of insects and smaller creatures.
An understanding of anatomy, movement and character underpins each sculpture, with careful attention to the structures and details that give each animal its distinctive form and sense of life.
Mythical Creatures
The energy and diversity of the animal world are recurring themes in Alan’s work, from the strength and presence of deer and big cats to the delicate forms of insects and smaller creatures.
An understanding of anatomy, movement and character underpins each sculpture, with careful attention to the structures and details that give each animal its distinctive form and sense of life.
Available Sculpture
Completed original works currently available can be found in the Available Sculpture collection. [? there is no available sculpture]
Each artwork page provides the information held for that individual piece, including materials, dimensions, presentation and availability where these have been confirmed.
Original sculpture and commissioned work
Much of the work shown on this site was created as a commission and is now held in private collections or public and commercial spaces. A small number of sculptures may be available to purchase, with current availability shown on the individual artwork pages.
Alan accepts commissions of all sizes. You may already have a clear idea of the piece you would like to create, or simply a subject or idea that you would like to explore with Alan. A commission can also incorporate or be inspired by an object with personal significance.
If you are considering a commission, find out more about the commissioning process or get in touch with Alan to discuss your ideas.
Other Sculptural Works
Some of Alan’s work is made specifically for outdoor settings, including gardens, public spaces and larger architectural environments. Wall-mounted works bring Alan’s distinctive sculptural style to homes, workplaces and other interior spaces. Alan is always honoured to be asked to create a memorial piece to remember someone by.
Featured Metal Sculpture
These projects sit alongside work for private collectors and other public, institutional and commercial settings.
About Alan Williams
Alan Williams is a British contemporary metal sculpture artist whose work has been exhibited and commissioned internationally.
His practice centres on contemporary sculpture made from reclaimed mechanical and industrial materials, forged steel and found objects. Subjects include wildlife, birds, marine life and imagined creatures.
His work ranges from individual sculptures for collectors to private commissions and large-scale public, commercial and architectural projects.
Metal Sculpture FAQs
What is metal sculpture?
Metal sculpture is artwork made principally from metal using processes such as forging, welding, cutting, casting or assembling existing components.
Alan’s work particularly combines forged steel with reclaimed mechanical and industrial objects, allowing recognisable components to become part of a new sculptural form.
What materials does Alan Williams use in his sculptures?
Materials vary between works. Alan has used steel, old tools, chains, gears, bearings, car clutches, motorcycle components, cutlery, agricultural components and other mechanical and industrial objects.
The individual artwork pages provide more precise material information where it has been recorded.
How much does a metal sculpture cost?
There is no single price for a metal sculpture. Size, complexity, materials, construction time, finish and whether the work is an existing sculpture or a new commission all affect the cost.
Current prices for available works should be checked on their individual artwork pages. Bespoke commissions can range from relatively small pieces costing hundreds of pounds to major projects costing tens of thousands, depending on the work involved.
Can metal sculpture be displayed outdoors?
Some metal sculptures are designed and finished for outdoor use, but this should not be assumed for every piece.
The construction, surface treatment, mounting method and intended location all matter. Outdoor suitability is therefore stated at individual artwork or project level where it has been confirmed.
Does Alan make metal sculptures to commission?
Yes. Alan considers private, commercial, memorial, portrait, wildlife, marine, figurative and large-scale public commissions.
He can also discuss incorporating client-supplied objects or materials where they are suitable for the work.
Are Alan’s sculptures made entirely from scrap metal?
No single material description applies to every sculpture.
Reclaimed mechanical and industrial components are an important part of Alan’s practice, but the work can also involve forged and newly fabricated steel and other materials needed for the structure and finish of an individual piece.
Where can I see individual sculptures?
The Sculpture section is organised by subject and setting, including Animals & Wildlife, Birds, Marine Life, Mythical & Imagined Creatures, Figurative & Portrait Work, Outdoor & Garden Sculpture and, where there is sufficient work, Wall Sculpture.
Individual artwork pages contain the most specific information about each sculpture.
Explore Alan’s Work
Browse the collections to see individual works, their materials and the different ways Alan uses mechanical and industrial objects within sculptural form.