Artist Blacksmithing is all about hot forging allied to the medium: metal.
Through exploring and challenging the material you will work towards creating a personal vocabulary in hot forged metal. Process, skills and technical understanding are combined with ideas, concepts and source materials, to develop designs. You will be encouraged to view technical skills as the means to creative end rather than an end in themselves, and discover that experimentation is an essential part of the design process and learn that creativity is not solely evidenced according to the final outcomes but also the journey travelled.
The programme is defining and redefining the cultural positioning of blacksmithing.
The result: graduates who are making a significant impact on contemporary forged metal design, both nationally and internationally.
Cultural Studies
All students study Cultural Studies as part of their degree path. These studies help to provide a better understanding and awareness of the importance of culture within their work.
Key Facts:
– BA (Hons) Artist Blacksmithing is the only undergraduate programme of its type in the UK.
– Taught in the largest forge training facility in Europe – The Rural Crafts Centre
– Attracts ambitious and diverse students from both the UK and abroad.
– Master classes by industry professionals, recent contributors have included Brian Russell, Jake James and Peter Parkinson.
– Focus on the development of your professional and entrepreneurial skills.
– International links with the top Artist Blacksmithing Centres for study in Sweden and the USA.
– Regular opportunities to exhibit your creative practice throughout your studies.
After this course:
Graduates become technically expert and critically aware designers in forged metals with a broad range of transferable skills. Many graduates develop careers as ‘sole traders’, setting up their own professional design studios and workshops and producing major pieces of public artwork or objects for domestic, architectural or public environments. Alternatively graduates can choose to become journeymen working for smiths across the world or explore a range of broader opportunities in the creative arts sector through consultancy, community arts, teaching, and residencies and/or undertake postgraduate study – find out more about our MA courses.
