Joining pieces together
I started by shaping pieces and then joining with sellotape.
I wanted to try methods for joining and preferred options are rivets.
These need to be balanced on the end of a pointy tool held pointing up in a vice. The point has a tiny cup that holds the rivet pointing upwards.
After making holes in the copper pieces to be joined the holes in the pieces of copper are aligned and put over the rivet so it points through into the inside of the piece being made. Then the rivet is hit with rounded hammer to make a flange (a protruding rim that holds the rivet in place). This takes a bit of practice and some rivets get wasted or lost. After a while more are successful and they look quite attractive.
Rivets
A second option I will use is sewing with copper wire that involves making holes and threading the wire through.
Sewing with copper wire
Another option was using pop rivets and a special tool.
These make the most effective and easiest joins but are stainless steel and I don't like the look of them in this context.
Artists Research
Sophie Ryder
I came across huge public statues by Sophie Ryder at the Piece Hall in Halifax where there is a gallery showing some of her smaller drawings and sculptures mostly from 1990s. The subjects of the works in all media are often a minotaur and hares which also are quite human and in relationship with each other. She is not that interested in making a replica of animals but translates the creatures movement in sculpture.
The massive works fit in the grand piece hall square that has the feel of a preserved Roman plaza. In the small gallery there are smaller forms of the sculptures maquettes and pieces made before the bigger outdoor ones. She uses plaster over wire frame to create the large bronzes and includes small cogs, wheels and toy cars embedded in the plaster to create fine detail and texture. 
The muted crayon and charcoal drawings have the same style and feel as the sculptures. She also had made drawings using wire that she manipulated to create lighter and darker areas on a two dimensional surface. 
This might be wire used for armature for some smaller pieces and a couple of the larger pieces outside are cast from a wire sculpture itself without a covering of plaster.
