Steaven Richard

Blacksmith

©mvarret

©Nicolas Scordia RHD

©Borja Lorenzo

The artistic touch of metal

Steaven started metalwork as a farrier
He travelled around Europe learning blacksmithing
Combining craft and art is essential to his work

Steaven Richard started his professional life wanting to discover various mindsets, which is why he travelled through Europe for ten years learning blacksmithing in Germany, Ireland and England. Following his training as a farrier, Steaven turned to blacksmithing for its artistic possibilities, a fundamental part of his work to this day. Opening his own workshop in 2001 was the beginning of this never-ending research for new techniques and artistic possibilities, two facets of his work that he has developed simultaneously. This need for superior craftsmanship – combined with an artistic vision of what metal can be – brought him to invent techniques unique to his work and sought after by the prestigious institutions he collaborates with.

Interview

©Nicolas Scordia RHD

©Nicolas Scordia RHD

When did you start blacksmithing?: It was working on the gates of Karlsruhe Castle, all the ornamentation had to be reforged. When my boss saw my forging skills, he hired me straight away for this job, it was a rare skill. This was a very special opportunity for a young blacksmith.
What specific techniques have you mastered?: The one that distinguishes us from others is the artistic lamination technique. We developed it following a project for Karl Lagerfeld's office at Chanel. The textures created cannot be reproduced by hand, and we are the only ones in the world to do it.
Do craftspeople often collaborate with architects as you do?: There is a growing trend for creative craftspeople and artisans to be used in artistic collaborations. The most demanding architects need to rely on craftspeople who master their techniques but also make artistic proposals – it's a collaborative effort.
What do you particularly like about metalwork?: Combining aesthetic creativity with technical creativity. You need both to respond to solutions or to develop a new skill, it's a pleasure that is renewed every day. I also have all the satisfaction of building a growing workshop when I started with just a toolbox.

Steaven Richard is a master artisan: he began his career in 1992 and he started teaching in 2006