Working with Brian Clarke in Ireland

In 2001 my life shifted profoundly when I was supported by the Arts Council of Wales to spend two weeks training with Brian Clarke in Co. Wicklow, Ireland. Brian took metalsmithing deeply seriously, and also held it very lightly, with an amused twinkle in his eye, an infectious sense of joy, and matchless skills. By the end of the two weeks, I felt like the top of my head had been opened and peeled back with a key, like a sardine can; a whole new world of metalsmithing was opened up to me. I didn’t just learn new skills, I suddenly grasped how to craft a life, using these skills, a bit of ingenuity and a lot of intuition. Even the title, ‘Through the Plasticity of Metal’, was an eye-opener.

It was a momentous two weeks for me, and for the world, which shifted on its axis as the twin towers in New York fell.

I was lucky enough to go back and work with him several more times, including once when Michael Good, Anticlastic Maestro taught a course there (click here to find out more)

When Brian died in 2025, I was deeply honoured to hear that part of my message, one of hundreds, was read out at his funeral: “Intuitive metalsmith extraordinaire. He will be so missed. I’m so grateful to have learned with him, and I still have his voice in my head often”

It was such a formative experience that this certificate and photo of fellow student Laila, Brian and me has hung on my workshop wall for the last 25 years, and there it will stay. This pre-dates digital photography, so it’s the only copy I have, and goodness knows where my other photos are buried.

Thankyou, Brian, for the voice in my head, which often pipes up with a lovely Irish lilt and an inherent twinkle, saying stuff like “What did you go and do that for?” when I’ve made a careless mistake in the workshop. Also, in response to all things metal: “Isn’t it brilliant?!”