ABOUT PEAT

Peat Oberon is an artist blacksmith based at a forge in the grounds of Preston Hall Museum near Stockton-on-Tees in the North-East of England. He originally trained as a craft teacher and taught various subjects including crafts and technical drawing in schools and sixth form college for 15 years before becoming a full-time blacksmith in 1980. Since then he has earned his living and an esteemed world reputation producing a wealth of architectural, sculptural and decorative ironwork.

Peat began teaching the craft of blacksmithing in 1990, combining his skills as an artist, craftsman and teacher with his life-long passion for working with metal. At his School of Blacksmithing he delivers quality courses where his students enjoy the expert tuition of a master blacksmith.

Examples of work by Peat Oberon

Gates

In 2012 Peat was commissioned to make these gates for a private residence in North Yorkshire.

Plate

Peat used thirty-two different setts and fullers over six days to create the Eastern European surface decoration on this plate.

Planter

Exhibited at FIFI (First International Festival of Iron, Cardiff, 1989). Many techniques were used including profile cutting, drawing down, bending, repoussée, gas welding, electric welding and collaring.

Kebandles

Peat made the stems of these kebab-like candlesticks from waste material. The 20mm steel cuboids were flattened on a power hammer and rivetted together on a central spike, like a kebab.

Mushrooms

Peat made this musical sculpture for the British Artist Blacksmith Association exhibition Fe: An Exploration of Iron Through the Senses, 1995-96.

Mirror frame

Peat made this frame using a 40mm square tool to apply deep texturing. The ribbon was made as a contrast. After polishing, the frame was heated to iridescent blue.

In 2008 Peat was awarded the Silver Medal and Fellowship of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths in recognition of consistently high standards of work.

He was called upon to be a judge at the World Forging Championships in Stia, Tuscany, in September 2009 and again in 2011.

In 2016, Peat was awarded the Tonypandy Cup, the highest award in blacksmithing from the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths.

“I constantly see disbelief on the faces of students when shown an example of what they are about to make. That disbelief inevitably changes to pride and joy when they complete the piece.

Expressions of satisfaction, fulfilment and happiness are what I receive at the end of every course.”

CREATIVE BLACKSMITHING

Peat’s book Creative Blacksmithing was published in 2015 by The Crowood Press. This is a low-cost paperback with 112 pages and beautiful lavish photography throughout. Discover the thrill of working with hot metal and creating your own pieces. This book captures the excitement of working at the fire and explains the techniques to get you started.

buy from amazon

KREATIVES SCHMIEDEN

The German edition of Peat’s book Creative Blacksmithing was published in 2016. Kreatives Schmieden is a larger hardback volume of 152 pages.

buy from amazon