“Iron:
Forged, Tempered, Quenched celebrates the rich history of
American blacksmithing by bridging historical and contemporary works
and illustrating the wide variety of blacksmithing techniques and
processes currently practiced in the U.S. The exhibition is
one of the most significant exhibitions of blacksmithed objects in
decades.” – Gwynne Rukenbrod, Curator of Fine Craft at
HCCC
Finely
crafted ironwork is often overlooked in our daily lives. It graces
the façade of everyday buildings in the form of door latches and
window grills. It decorates the gate that encloses the neighbor’s
yard, so the dog cannot get loose. Houston Center for Contemporary
Craft celebrates this overlooked art form with Iron: Forged,
Tempered, Quenched, an exhibition of historical and
contemporary pieces of ironwork created in the tradition of
blacksmithing.
In
early colonial American settlements, blacksmiths were responsible
for making everything from weapons to farm equipment to cookware. As
the Industrial Age took hold, the skills of a blacksmith were in
less demand. Very few blacksmiths continued to learn the trade until
a renewed interest in the art of blacksmithing and metalwork emerged
during the late 1970s. With this resurgence came an interest in
breaking away from the historical mold and using the medium as a
creative outlet to shape new work, including
sculpture.
The
exhibition educates audiences about the processes used to create
historical and contemporary ironwork. Contemporary pieces are
exhibited alongside important historic works, such as farm
implements and tools, to allow visitors to visually identify how
blacksmithing artists combine contemporary design sensibilities with
historical traditions and techniques to create their pieces.
Iron
features more than 40 pieces by 38 artists from across the U.S.,
including Elizabeth Brim, Frederic Crist, Carl Jennings, John
Medwedeff, Lee Ann Mitchell, Noellyn Pepos, Jon Shearin, Lee Tribe
and James Wallace. Local and regional artists in the show include
Dave Koenig, founder of the Houston Area Blacksmiths’ Association
(HABA), members of the Austin Metal Authority, and Texas artists,
such as Todd Campbell, Tim Bailey, and Lars Stanley.
Contemporary works on view include sculptural and conceptual works
and interior furniture, including select pieces from the permanent
collection of The National Ornamental Metal Museum in Memphis,
Tennessee.
Iron: Forged, Tempered, Quenched was made possible
by generous support from Triple-S Steel and TS Distributors, Nancy
and Rich Kinder, and Michelle and Frank
Hevrdejs.
Click here for pledge
information.
Top row, left to right:
Stephen
Yusko, Box Series, 2009. Boxes. Forged and Fabricated
Steel. Photo by Jeff Bruce.
Rebekah Frank, Raphide, 2007.
Sculpture. Forged Steel and Copper. Photo by Brent Bates Onion Creek
Studio.
Bottom row, left to right:
Zack Noble, Dr. Suess Bloom
(detail), 2005. Forged steel. Photo by Tom Mills
Photography.
Lu Heintz, Mama Turkey, 2009.
Sculpture. Mild Steel, Wool, Turkey Feathers, Thread, Bone. Photo by
Frank
Gambino. |
