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Eric Smith
Primary Medium Metal
Secondary MediumFurniture
Description of Work Traditional Blacksmith for the modern home
Chapter Southeast
Company/Business EE Ironworks
Website eeironworks.com
Artist Statement
Blacksmithing to me is a true physical link to the past. Each hammer blow reconnects me to my forefathers. As a modern day artist blacksmith I am constantly examining my role in today’s world. With the coming of the industrial age, the blacksmith became the lynchpin of progress. It was the blacksmith who created the components that were assembled to make the machines that powered the Industrial Revolution. Sadly, the machines the blacksmith helped build would nearly wipe the role of the blacksmith completely out of modern society. Blacksmiths are however adaptable creatures, and as our economy shifts to a post-industrial progression, I must do the same. As an artist blacksmith, I must create a new role for my craft in modern society. Innovation is key to set myself apart from the rest.
Making things with my hands is a core instinct. I combine the ancient tradition of my craft with my own passion and love to create. I am dedicated to using traditional blacksmithing techniques because of the visual complexity and exacting craftsmanship that they require. Techniques of this ancient craft have remained unchanged over thousands of years and inform my work’s design and construction. My work employs traditional joinery techniques such as mortise and tenon, mortise and wedge, rivets, and collars. Transforming a millennia of old craft’s sensibilities into modern applications and aesthetics, I strive to create thoughtfully made, one of a kind pieces, which are drafted to counter act against a production line design approach, which is so present in modern metalworking today. Furthermore, my approach to design is informed by the materials I use. My work makes use of mostly salvaged materials such as wood from barges and scrap steel and wrought iron. The varied textures and heavily oxidized surfaces appeal to me visually. By using salvaged material, I am connected to the history of my material, which in turn informs each of my pieces.
As my journey as a blacksmith continues to evolve my work will do the same. My work is intuitive and evolves organically as I work in the shop. Without mechanical limitation I am free to execute my creative vision as I work. Moving forward and keeping up with modern forging technologies is key to my success as a modern artist blacksmith. By combining new forging technologies as well as staying true my love of traditional techniques my artistic advancement and development is moving forward into the future.
Blacksmithing to me is a true physical link to the past. Each hammer blow reconnects me to my forefathers. As a modern day artist blacksmith I am constantly examining my role in today’s world. With the coming of the industrial age, the blacksmith became the lynchpin of progress. It was the blacksmith who created the components that were assembled to make the machines that powered the Industrial Revolution. Sadly, the machines the blacksmith helped build would nearly wipe the role of the blacksmith completely out of modern society. Blacksmiths are however adaptable creatures, and as our economy shifts to a post-industrial progression, I must do the same. As an artist blacksmith, I must create a new role for my craft in modern society. Innovation is key to set myself apart from the rest.
Making things with my hands is a core instinct. I combine the ancient tradition of my craft with my own passion and love to create. I am dedicated to using traditional blacksmithing techniques because of the visual complexity and exacting craftsmanship that they require. Techniques of this ancient craft have remained unchanged over thousands of years and inform my work’s design and construction. My work employs traditional joinery techniques such as mortise and tenon, mortise and wedge, rivets, and collars. Transforming a millennia of old craft’s sensibilities into modern applications and aesthetics, I strive to create thoughtfully made, one of a kind pieces, which are drafted to counter act against a production line design approach, which is so present in modern metalworking today. Furthermore, my approach to design is informed by the materials I use. My work makes use of mostly salvaged materials such as wood from barges and scrap steel and wrought iron. The varied textures and heavily oxidized surfaces appeal to me visually. By using salvaged material, I am connected to the history of my material, which in turn informs each of my pieces.
As my journey as a blacksmith continues to evolve my work will do the same. My work is intuitive and evolves organically as I work in the shop. Without mechanical limitation I am free to execute my creative vision as I work. Moving forward and keeping up with modern forging technologies is key to my success as a modern artist blacksmith. By combining new forging technologies as well as staying true my love of traditional techniques my artistic advancement and development is moving forward into the future.
Artist Details
- Mentorships
- Blacksmithing
- Craft Teaching
- Blacksmithing
- Retail Artworks
- Wholesale Artworks
- Commissioned Artworks
- Demonstrates Craft/Artwork
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