Sean Syman is a netsuke carver from Wellington, New Zealand, working primarily in locally sourced deer antler, wood and bone. He finds the process of carving meditative, primarily using hand tools wherever possible to feel the form of a piece as it develops. Sean enjoys making small pieces in the style of Japanese netsuke that are a pleasure to be held in the hand, and looks to inspire people to connect with their sense of childlike joy and wonder.

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Sean began woodcarving after a move to Toronto in 2018, needing to find a way continue woodworking and creating in a small apartment. On returning to New Zealand in 2021, Sean was introduced to bone and antler as a medium at the Mokau Bone Carving Symposium, and began exploring netsuke style carving.

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​Sean gets much of his inspiration from the intersection of the natural world and man-made objects, and the importance of joy and whimsy in everyday life.