Lucas Norris featured alongside leading international blacksmiths in latest EIP from Peters Valley School of Craft (USA)

Bespoke Blacksmithing is a unique exhibition-in-print (EIP) that celebrates the artistry, craftsmanship, and innovation of blacksmithing, curated by jurors and the Gallery Director from Peters Valley School of craft. This print edition showcases works that push the boundaries of traditional blacksmithing while honouring its rich history. 

Blacksmiths, artisans, and metalworkers were invited to submit pieces that demonstrate skill, creativity, and a personal interpretation of the craft, whether through functional, sculptural, or experimental forms.

Among those to respond was Lucas Norris, 24, who is about to enter his final year on HCA's BA(hons) Artist Blacksmithing degree. 

Initially training in Light Vehicle Maintenance, and before working for three years at an engineering supplies company, Lucas approaches his practice with one rule: no fear. His journey to this point has given him a different perspective to students who approach forging with a traditional arts or blacksmithing background.

We spoke to Lucas about being featured:

How did this come about - what was the connection to Peters Valley?

I saw Nicola Lillie's [Lecturer, BA(hons) Jewellery Design] instagram story where she put the open call on. I just thought why not? Nothing to lose really. 

I did find out later that James Viste is heavily involved with the school - I think he’s a tutor there - and me and him have a nice email back and forth relationship which is excellent.

What do you feel it is about these selected pieces that represent you as an artist/designer?

They represent me because I really tried to integrate narrative into them, specifically Wisdom in Hindsight. There’s a story and idea behind the pieces. Very personal work.

What is the background to the Reinterpret piece?

Reinterpret was our Practice 3 module - The Cathedral Project as it’s known to the students. 

I tested so much for that module. I wanted to hit Level 5 hard and that module was an excellent way to do it. I wanted to show I wasn’t timid and I was confident to make tooling for a hydraulic press and use it on big section (40mm square). I loved the linear style that was created in the big section and shifted the design at the last minute. I opted for a simpler finish, when originally they would’ve been connected I separated them and gave them two different flavours.

How did it feel opening a copy of the final print version of the EIP - and what is it like knowing that makers and craftspeople will be seeing you work across the world?

Opening the book was surreal, seeing my name in the ‘selected artists’ page was surreal, seeing my work on the pages was surreal. 

I was very proud and excited. Thinking that anyone could see it is surreal. That’s the only word that comes to mind. If you would’ve told me four years ago that I would’ve made forged sculptures that ended up getting published by a school of craft in America I wouldn’t have believed it at all. Surreal.

What are you most excited about heading into your final year of your undergrad degree?

I am going to absolutely go off on one. I am going to throw my entire body and soul into my modules. I don’t want to feel I missed anything out. Read read read, learn learn learn, I want my outcomes to be mountains higher quality than that of last year.

And where are you going to keep a copy of the EIP?

My copy of the book will be staying in my parents living room.

> You can order your copy of Bespoke Blacksmithing now. Click here to buy (US seller).