Mentored Project

Earth Fire Iron ‘Inspired’ project was part of a programme of events held in Stroud, Glos celebrating and commemorating pioneering artist blacksmith Alan Evans (see Earth Fire Iron overview, link here) A key component of Earth Fire Iron, "Inspired" was designed and supported by the British Artists Blacksmithing Association (BABA) for young blacksmiths to respond to a series of open call projects across the town.

One of the open calls was for a commission for a sculpture project which was to be a collaboration between a student blacksmith and a mentor. Neve Taylor-Bridges, an Artist Blacksmithing Degree student from Hereford College of Arts, was selected to forge her design ‘Arachne’ working under the expert mentorship of her lecturer, Adam Greenwell AWCB, LWCB from the National School of Blacksmithing. The making of the sculpture was part of a live forging demonstration at the annual BABA (British Artist Blacksmiths Association) AGM held at the Museum in the Park, Stroud September 2025 and the completed sculpture will remain on exhibit in the museum’s walled garden. As an added honour, Neve’s design drawing for ‘Arachne’ became the visual emblem for the BABA conference appearing on publicity material and the event’s T-shirt.

In her design research, Neve discovered that a Paulownia (Empress/Princess tree), recently saved within the museum’s walled garden, had connections to a myth about Phoenixes. Drawing inspiration from the garden as a symbol of the circle of life, she also found parallels with the Greek myth of Arachne. This myth portrays a girl so talented at her craft that she was transformed into the first spider so she could forever weave and create. Neve wanted to also echo the language of Alan Evans’ famous gate for the Treasury in the Crypt of St Paul's Cathedral, London.

Neve’s design encapsulates these themes, reflecting the endless cycle of creativity and the profound impact that skilled makers can have on the world around them. Her work celebrates the history and mythology connected to the garden and serves as a lasting tribute to the inspiration and legacy of Alan Evans.

When interviewed about the project Neve commented that "I am incredibly honoured to have been awarded this opportunity to work alongside my lecturer, Adam Greenwell. This opportunity allows me to bring my designs to life in a meaningful way, and I am thrilled to create a permanent piece of artwork for Stroud Museum. I was inspired by the life of Alan Evans and the concept of what comes next, as well as how his journey in the craft inspired and motivated others." Neve Taylor-Bridges

Adam Greenwell AWCB LWCB who Neve selected to be her mentor for the project was her blacksmith tutor on the BA (Hons) Artist Blacksmithing course at HCA. Adam stated "I'm delighted to be working alongside Neve with this project. Being inspired by Alan Evans's work in my early career, I feel privileged to be working in Alan Evans and Andy Basnett's memory along with Neve. Inspiring the next generation of contemporary blacksmiths and the notion of 'what next' has always interested me as artist blacksmithing develops in time".