A journey in Metal

Will Maguire is a small blacksmithing design studio based in the Hunter Valley, NSW, Australia. Here, we focus on re-imagining forged ironwork with care and consideration in the hope it will, in its own small way, make the world a better place.

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Will Maguire started the workshop in 2009 after returning from several years of journeyman travels throughout the world. He trained initially in Australia as an industrial blacksmith and boilermaker before heading overseas to work with many renowned blacksmiths restoring ancient ironwork and making contemporary forged sculpture. Building on these technical skills Will has studied botanical drawing, design and completed a degree in Philosophy. These skills underpin the growth and considered output from the studio. Collaboration too has become an increasingly interesting and fruitful area of practice with Will and his small team working together with other specialist crafts and suppliers to bring materials and ideas to life.

 

The studio has been very lucky to have works included in the collection of the University of Newcastle and major public works form part of local and state authorities collections in ACT, Maribyrnong (VIC), Newcastle (NSW), Wagga Wagga (NSW),Maitland (NSW), Singleton (NSW), Cessnock (NSW) and Langemark-Poelkapelle (Belgium). The studio has had work exhibited widely, both nationally, including at Sculpture by the Sea Bondi; and internationally in UK, USA, Germany, France and Belgium. Most of the functional work is made for exclusive private residences, restaurants and vineyards across NSW. In 2022, the studio was featured with a dedicated chapter in the Metal design international a hard cover book published in German and English.

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As a small, hands on studio we care deeply about the impact our actions have on the planet. Steel is one of the most recyclable materials on earth but it does require huge amount of energy to produce and work with. We apply efficiencies to reduce waste and burn less energy in our planning, material reclaiming and use of technology in our making processes. However, primarily we justify our impact through the longlivity of what we make, typically multigenerational timeframes and our aim to bring into the world fewer items with more care and meaning attached to them and in so doing help us see the beauty in materials and build a respect for our surroundings.

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If you have a project that we might be able to help you with we would love to hear from you.