Interview with Michael Budd

Michael Budd is a Sligo based blacksmith who creates his art from his forge at riverstown. His work is available to view around the country and also at the Morpheus Gallery in Carrick-on-Shannon. Ahead of his demonstration of the smithing process at the gallery, we decided to interview Michael to see what makes him tick.

When did you first get interested in blacksmithing and why?
My dad was a welder on the docks and he worked with a chain and anchor blacksmith and I was captivated by how he would sculpt larger lumps of metal into functional objects.

What was your early experience of blacksmithing and how did it influence your development as an artist?
The first time I actually got to forge was when I was sixteen and training in metal fabrication. A contract came in where the customer wanted forged finials. I was given the job and it took me two weeks to forge them all out. It was the hottest two weeks of the year but I loved every moment.

Who were your main influences when you began smithing, both from an artistic point of view and a practical one?
Firstly Brian Halpin the smith I trained with. He had a great love of forge work and it was very infectious. That took about three minutes to rub off on me. Once I started to look around at other smiths work David Tucker from the UK was a big influence. His clean designs mixed with flawless technique really struck a chord with me. I have since met David and he was as inspirational as his work.

How do you feel your work has developed since you began smithing?
My own style comes through more and more as I grow in experience. I have found the biggest change is the ambition of my work has grown along with its scale as I develop my skills. Technique seems to be a dirty word in the art world in the last ten years, but I find it's the only way I can fully realise my artistic vision.

What process do you use when you create a piece?
Mostly when it comes to sculpture I don't sketch ideas at all. I prefer to work in my medium which is hot forged steel. I have an idea in my head and I go for a walk and work through the process of forging it. I then go back to the forge, write out a cutting list and start. Then there's no going back.

What current projects are you working on?
I've just finished a gate which is call "The River Gate". This is my entry into the RDS national craft awards this year. I also have a piece of sculpture at in the forge for the past half year which I now feel is ready to complete.

How do you know when a piece is complete and ready to show?
I find this easy in fact I've never thought about when a piece is finished until this moment. As I start with a finished concept in my mind I know where I want to go with it. When the piece matches what is in my head it's done.

Where would you like your work to go in the future, how do you envision it developing?
I'm always working towards larger scale work, which really means public works of art. Also in the next few years I'd like to work more in the restoration of forge work.

What are your views on Irish blacksmithing and the craft movement in Ireland?
There is a very high standard of forge work in Ireland but it is constantly overlooked and blacksmiths need to do more to push their work into the public eye. I find the craft movement in Ireland spends too much time listening to so called marketing experts and not enough time looking at the world outside Ireland. This has the result of a lot of nice but bland work that you can find in almost every town in Ireland. It leaves me feeling cold.

Who is your current favourite artist?
Kit Simmons, his work has always blown me away. It works on every level and you always want to know the story behind his work.

What other interests do you have (other than blacksmithing)?
Books, I like to unwind with a good read. Walking, it helps me think and is a good source of inspiration for me. Other than that it's family and blacksmithing.

Your wife Tiffany is a jeweller, how has she influenced your thinking regarding your own art?
Tiff has had a massive influence on me and my work. She is the reason I'm forging today, she gave me the confidence to go and train in the first place. Also, her work is free flowing yet precise, I try to bring some of that to my own work.

How do you handle the business side of being an artist?
The hardest part is juggling with marketing, networking and paperwork. Then you have to find time to create, it can leave you feeling drained.

What advice can you give any blacksmiths starting out?
Find a good comprehensive college course in forge work then work for at least two blacksmiths before starting out on your own. That should give you five years to develop your technique and ideas before you have to handle the business end.

To view Michael's work drop into the gallery or visit www.michaelbudd.ie