About
The Full Story
Two lifelong friends. One artistic mission. Sculpting stories in steel.
​
Welcome to Saints of Steel, the collaborative creation of Peter Driessel and
Paul Ellington, two childhood friends with a shared history stretching back to
their early school days in Port Elizabeth.
Their friendship, built on loyalty, laughter, and a deep love of craft, evolved
into a partnership that now produces some of the most emotionally resonant
metal sculptures you’ll encounter.
Together, Peter and Paul bring both history and harmony to the studio. Their
connection is more than professional, it’s personal. Each piece is forged through
decades of trust, shaped by mutual respect, and driven by a shared passion to
honour the human form with raw, industrial elegance.
​
​
Peter Driessel
Peter is the eye and soul behind the casting. With over 17 years of experience as an award-winning photographer, he has a rare gift for capturing emotion and essence. As the founder and photographer of Boudoir Fusion Photography and Peter Driessel Photography, he has spent nearly two decades helping people feel empowered and beautiful in their own skin.
At Saints of Steel, Peter is where it all begins. He works directly with each subject, gently applying plaster of Paris to capture every detail with care, empathy, and artistic precision. His background in psychology, combined with his warmth and creativity, ensures that every casting session feels both safe and unforgettable.
Peter also contributes to the steelwork by helping Paul conceptualise and shape the initial design inside the mould. His sculptural eye doesn’t stop at casting, he’s often elbow-deep in the early structural work that helps bring the piece to life.
Beyond the studio, Peter designs and maintains the Saints of Steel website, handles the social media, and leads the creative direction of the brand. Whether guiding a session or fine-tuning a sculpture, his artistic vision threads through every detail.
When he's not crafting or casting, you’ll find Peter scuba diving, enjoying long chats around the braai, or simply being a devoted dad.
​
​
Paul Ellington
If Peter captures the spirit, then Paul gives it strength and permanence. With over 35 years of experience as an architectural ironmonger, builder, and craftsman, Paul has shaped everything from grand staircases to intricate heritage restorations. Today, he channels that same precision and care into every sculpture, creating lasting pieces that carry both weight and meaning.
Once Peter completes the initial casting, Paul steps into the workshop. He does not just build with steel, he shapes it with intention. Every curve is carefully formed through heat, pressure and practiced hands. To Paul, the process is a form of storytelling. The metal speaks, and he responds with patience, skill and quiet passion.
Behind the scenes, Paul is more involved than people might expect. He often assists Peter during the larger casts, offering not just muscle but calm focus and technical support. Likewise, Peter frequently collaborates with Paul in developing the initial sculptural concept, ensuring each piece begins with a clear artistic vision.
Outside the studio, Paul leads a grounded and disciplined life. He trains regularly at CrossFit and is an active sports shooter, a shared passion he enjoys with Peter. These pursuits give him a physical edge that reflects in the strength and precision of his metalwork.
Paul is the father of two grown daughters who live in Singapore and Cape Town. He also has two teenage sons, whom he sees every second weekend. While his role in family life is limited by distance and circumstance, his energy and commitment find their full expression in his craft.
Paul brings a calm presence and a wealth of experience to Saints of Steel. He approaches each sculpture not as a task, but as an opportunity to honour the form in front of him. Where Peter brings stillness and sensitivity, Paul adds structure and strength. Together, they turn stories into steel.
​
Forged in Friendship
Saints of Steel wasn’t born in a boardroom. It started between two mates who shared a love for creating something meaningful. What began as an idea turned into a movement of craftsmanship, memory, and collaboration.
Each sculpture is one-of-a-kind. Cast by hand. Forged with fire. Finished with feeling.
Every piece celebrates strength, sensuality, and the individuality of the human form. Each one is a tribute, to beauty, to story, and to a friendship that has never lost its spark.
Welcome to Saints of Steel
​
Where memory meets metal, and every curve tells a story.
Let’s Work Together
Get in touch so we can start working together.
