Crafting Modern Totems: Bespoke Sculptures NZ x Saleh Design

Totem pole finished in weathered bronze.

At Bespoke Sculptures NZ, collaboration is at the heart of what we do. We believe that when creativity meets craftsmanship, the possibilities are limitless. Our latest project, a striking series of totem poles, has been a true testament to that philosophy.

To bring this vision to life, we teamed up with Saleh Design, led by the incredibly talented Abbas Saleh from Vienna, Austria. Abbas is a digital sculptor and fabricator whose skills span from delicate fine jewellery to monumental public art and intricate commercial props. With every piece designed, fabricated, and cast in his own workshop, Abbas brings a rare combination of precision and imagination to the table.

Abbas Saleh of Saleh Design.

Blending Traditional Inspiration with Modern Techniques

Totem poles have long been symbols of storytelling, heritage, and artistry. For this project, our aim was to honour those roots while reimagining the concept through a contemporary lens. Abbas’s expertise in digital sculpting allowed us to experiment with detail and scale in ways that traditional methods alone could not achieve.

The result? Totem poles that merge traditional form with modern design language, each one rich with symbolism, texture, and presence. Fabrication and casting techniques ensured durability, while the sculptural details added depth and soul.

A Meeting of Minds and Methods

At Bespoke Sculptures, we specialize in bringing creative visions to life through expert fabrication. Partnering with Abbas meant collaborating closely on the design of the totems, with his digital sculpting expertise guiding the creative direction while we handled the hands-on crafting, casting, and finishing to bring the designs into tangible, striking forms.

This collaboration is more than just about the finished totems; it’s about the process. It’s about two creative practices working in tandem, each learning from the other, and pushing beyond what we thought possible on our own.

Visit Abbas’s website at https://saleh-design.com/