 Cotton studied at the Ilam School of Fine Arts in Christchurch, graduating in 1988 and then went on to gain a Diploma of Education from Christchurch College of Education.After finishing his studies he lectured at Massey University, Palmerston North in the Maori Visual Arts Program until 2005 when he left to concentrate on his art practice full-time.He lives and works in Palmerston North.