ABANA Featured Forgings
Online Exhibition of Forged Work
Favorites of 2024
We asked the blacksmith community to show us their favorite pieces forged during 2024. In this exhibition, you’ll see a wide array of projects and styles represented. This online exhibition is a curated showcase of selected works. Some of the entries received will be posted on our social media accounts over the coming weeks and months. Thank you to all the participants in this Featured Forgings Online Exhibition.
On view through June 1, 2025.
Dave Richer
Dragon Claw. Persian-inspired, low-layer Damascus knife with hand-carved, leather-wrapped sheath.
Turner Hammett
All-Terrain-Scout-Transport (AT-ST). With the theme being “favorite forgings,” this is by far my favorite above all I’ve done. Being that I have been a major Star Wars fan since a kid, it was just a matter of time before I attempted to forge something from the Star Wars universe, and here it is, my forged Imperial AT-ST! It was a test of my skills by doing as much of it as possible in the forge and as little fabrication as possible.
Casey Hebel
Photo and Flora. When asked to create an original piece based on a historical style, Spanish Art Nouveau came to mind. Also known as Modernisme, its heavy floral and chaotic aesthetic was gravitational and freeing. Steel and glass (didn’t create the lampshade), 32″ x 18″ x 18″.
Dave Carroll
Rex. Rex comes apart for transport. The head is mounted on a forged ball joint, and the jaw can be opened and closed. Photos by Paul Boulay.
Jody Best
Hook Series. The five whimsical animal hooks–a rabbit, fish, squirrel, bird, and unicorn– are for our artist daughter and represent all realms: field, forest, water, skies, and the imaginary. Although these pieces aren’t big or fancy or technically show-off-y, they feel personal and useful.
Lisa Huth
Reflection. For 2024, my goal was to include more forging into my sculptures. Looking into our past and acknowledging it. Doing so will bring a brighter future. Currently on exhibition for Sculpturewalk Sioux Falls, South Dakota. 4′ x 4′ x 4′. Photo by Paul Schiller.
Henrietta Verwey
Untitled. I was given permission by my clients to design a foot railing with a strong blacksmith flair to it. The twists are 9 pieces of varying round stock, twisted by hand (large twisting wrench). Each bracket and banding was hand-forged and welded. I enjoyed creating this piece as it was definitely outside my normal creations. The clients are extremely happy with this piece of functional art and how it looks in the space, and so am I.
Alfred Walker
Untitled. During 2023, I snapped my ACL and was crutch-bound for multiple months. When I could return to the forge in 2024, I started by making some fox head crutches. From this, I continued making walking sticks, such as the Highland cow and the Hare pictured here. I also made a sheep, duck, and fox cane.
Brian Donahue
Donahue Fine Arts
Website
Family Circle. Front security door. Each flower represents a member of the family. The type of flower is determined by the flowers in the wedding bouquets over the years.
Corpus No.3.
Joel Peter Hegge
Corpus No.3 consists of 4 elements that were forged from a 1/2 square bar that were 8 inches long before forging.
Determinant No. 3 contains 9 vertical elements forged from a 1-inch square bar, with the original length being 8 inches.
Note: Determinant No. 3 appeared in The Anvil’s Ring, but the artist’s name was inadvertently omitted.
Photography by Wes Magyar.
Determinant No. 3.
Douglas Thayer
Coffee Table. 36” x 15” x 19” tall. The base of the table is forged from 3/8” x 2 and 3/8” x 1” mild steel, riveted. The rails on both sides of the top are of ¼” x 1 ½” mild steel. The top is a piece of semi-trailer floor, 1 3/8” thick and 12” wide. It is laminated mixed hardwoods. This table is a little taller than a standard coffee table.
Sergey Denisiuk
Johnstown. This sculpture is my fantasy of Pennsylvania and the town of Johnstown. Textured relief parts are made of metal found in an old destroyed factory. They symbolize the Appalachian Mountains and Laurel Mountains mountain ranges. The polished bronze element is the town of Johnstown. An element of human civilization that is closely connected with the outside world. They differ in texture, but the essence is the same. Formed and fabricated steel and brass, 10″ x 10″ x 5″.
