When you heat up metal in a forge, you must hammer it while the metal is red-hot. Because each item is hammered separately, no two metal pieces are hammered exactly alike. The subtle differences in hand work is apparent in each piece of detailing. These hand hammered details bring unique rustic characteristics to the work of Philip Brainard who uses traditional blacksmithing techniques as a springboard for exploring the creative potential of forged iron. Hand iron shaping has always been a combination of usefulness and art. And, as in any domain involving art, there is an artistic vision of which renewal can be a challenge. For Phil, the challenge consists in the wish for giving modern aspects to old, bringing the forgotten nobleness of the authentic forged metal into a contemporary environment.
Distinction by Creative Force
