Originally from Poland, I came to the UK 14 years ago. I earnt a decent living as a middle manager in the retail yet this career left me feeling wholly unfulfilled. I knew that I wanted to create something that would last. I was used to getting dirty and working with my hands – so I was thrilled to learn that Hereford College of Arts ran a blacksmithing course. The next thing I knew, I’d quit my job and started training.
Since then I produced a series of superb artisan tools and knives, using age-old skills to produce modern objects of desire. My inspiration comes from the history and the traditional methods, getting to grips with hammer, tongs, and fire. For having these skills has paid off more than a career in retail ever would.
Awards:
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2020 QEST Scholar https://www.qest.org.uk/alumni/leszek-sikon/
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2020 Craft Council Hothouse https://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/what-we-do/hothouse/
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2018 Goldsmiths Craft and Design Council Bronze Award https://www.craftanddesigncouncil.org.uk/page/competition/
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2017 New Designers “Best Design of the Year” runner-up award https://www.newdesigners.com/awards/
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2017 Emley Foundation Award for Outstanding Achievement
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2017 The Goldsmith Centre “Talent Spotted” http://www.goldsmiths-centre.org/news/news-rising-stars-spotted-new-designers-2017/
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Publications:
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2020 "Homes & Gardens Magazine - One to watch" https://www.homesandgardens.com/
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2018 “Craft Magazine - Design on cutting edge” https://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/articles/design-at-the-cutting-edge
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2018 “Al-Tiba9 Art Magazine Issue 2” https://www.altiba9.com/art-magazine
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2016 “Hephaistos” https://www.metall-aktiv.de/news/aktuelle-meldungen/1814-vorschau-hephaistos-ausgabe-7-8-2016.html
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2017 “Forge” catalogue Ruthin
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2017 “San Miguel Rich List”
https://www.sanmiguel.com/en/richlist/
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2017 “Evening Standard” Timeless Toolmaker
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2017 “Craft Magazine”
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2017 “Anvils Ring” Forge: an Exhibition of Artist Blacksmith
Exhibition:
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2021 Monochrome, Ruthin Craft Centre
http://ruthincraftcentre.org.uk/exhibitions/monochrome/
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2019 Useful/Beautiful Harewood House, UK https://biennial.harewood.org/
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2017/2018 “Forge” touring exhibition, UK, Austria, USA
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2016 “Transition” Ypres, Belgium
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