Not to be missed - a unique chance to meet emerging and established artist-blacksmiths from across the country and beyond, and watch forging in action on the walled garden lawn.
Blacksmith Richard Quinnell was the driving force behind BABA, set up in 1978. Young blacksmiths from Britain and Europe got together to work and share ideas at venues including the V&A and Hereford Technical College (now Hereford College of Arts). Their annual meeting is an important opportunity for working craftspeople to come together.
This year their programme will include exciting blacksmithing demonstrations and talks open to the public, to coincide with the Earth Fire Iron exhibition. These include a panel discussion on ‘Art and Wellbeing: Making a Difference’ on Friday 12 September at 7.30pm, chaired by Simon Opher MP. Another highlight will be a talk on the Cotswold Arts & Crafts Movement by Mary Greensted on Saturday 13th September at 4.30pm (booking required for talks).
BABA organised a special national competition called Inspired to accompany the Earth Fire Iron programme. The competition offered young artist blacksmiths the chance to design an original work that they would not otherwise have had the opportunity to make. Work by four winners, Cara Wassenberg, Sam Pearce, Cameron Pearson and Neve Taylor Bridges, will be part of the main ‘Earth Fire Iron’ exhibition in the Museum’s Art Gallery. Neve’s sculpture will be displayed in the walled garden where she and her mentor Adam Greenwell, and others, will be demonstrating the blacksmith’s craft.
Forging demonstrations are free to watch, but numbers may be limited on the day for safety reasons. Drop in and make your way to the walled garden lawn between 10am – 12 noon and 2pm – 4pm on Friday, 11am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm on Saturday, and 11am – 12noon on Sunday.
As part of this special event, children and young people aged 8 to 16 will have a rare chance to book a hands-on, one-to-one blacksmithing class with the Quinnell School of Blacksmithing … watch this space for details!
Museum, walled garden and Earth Fire Iron exhibition open 10am to 4.30pm during this special blacksmithing weekend. Museum entry free, donations welcome.
