A DYING art is undergoing a revival in Victoria's North East, SARAH WARNE explains

Forging a niche market as a blacksmith artist, Richard Walker says he gets huge pride out of his design work.

"I produce something that people can't buy from a shop," 31-year-old Richard says.

"My work is a revival of old-fashioned techniques and every piece is not only unique but becomes the focal point of any environment."


His workshop, High Country Forge, is nestled in North East Victoria's Ovens Valley, offering skilled iron and design work that Richard says is rare.

"There would only be about five blacksmiths of this level in Victoria," Richard says.

"My work is hard but I am preserving skills and knowledge that can't be taught."

Created using both traditional and modern techniques the artist blacksmith forges a range of bold sculptural pieces including railings and balustrades, gates, signs, furniture as well as small decorative homewares.

Reproduction and restoration work is also carried out, with Richard's knowledge enabling him to enhance the iron's natural character through the use of specific tones, paints and woods.

With blacksmith artistry becoming a dying art in Australia, Richard travelled all over the world to learn it.

"I got the travel bug after working four years full-time as a boiler maker.

"When I got to the US I had no money so I took up a job helping out an American blacksmith."

Showing a natural flare for forging, Richard grew to like the traditional form of design and upon returning to Australia couldn't wait to get back overseas among the forging action.

"It's huge in the US and in England," he says. "These countries have a real appreciation for the artistry of the old blacksmith techniques."

Richard contacted a blacksmith in England and after gaining work restoring Barnard castle in the country's north, he was inspired to get his very own forge up and running in Australia.

"I started collecting tools and even making some of my own. "I returned to England three more times over the next few years to perfect my skills."

After opening his forge in the town of Smoko, Richard gradually built up a customer base, luring tourists with his self-forged sign.

"My place is on the main thoroughfare to Hotham so I forged a special business sign lined with steel blackberries," he says.

"And slowly, slowly, people started stopping on their way past." Richard now sells his work to a casual tourist trade and to those who have a genuine appreciation for real craftsmanship.

"The more traditional a customer wants the piece the more expensive it will be."

Richard's work can be seen across Victoria and his accolades include taking out first prize in the sculpture section at the 2007 International Flower and Garden Show.

One of his biggest public commissions is on show at Myrtleford. "I forged a large heritage backhoe to represent the families raised on the tobacco industry," Richard says.

"It took an immense amount of work. About 550 hours and cost the Alpine Shire $55,000."

To commission your very own High Country Forge piece contact Richard at 1464 Great Alpine Rd, Smoko (Bright) 3741, or phone (03) 5759 2603.