Earth, Fire, Iron: Alan Evans and the New Iron Age

The outstanding artist blacksmith, Alan Evans (1952-2023) inspired contemporary blacksmithing; Earth, Fire, Iron: Alan Evans and the New Iron Age, 1980-2025 explores his legacy. Evans’ brilliant conception of a set of gates in 1980 for the Treasury at St Paul’s Cathedral, London was seen as game-changing for the craft.

With contributions from leading voices in the artist blacksmith community, this new book provides an overview from Evans’ roots in the Cotswold Arts and Crafts movement to exciting developments in the craft since 1980, as makers and educators stepped up to the challenges and positives of blacksmithing and began to engage in constructive thinking about ways of tackling environmental issues and climate change.

This richly illustrated book includes an overview of the important and pioneering Artist Blacksmithing course at Hereford College of Arts and an introduction to issues around commissioning new work. Case studies by seven artist blacksmiths at different stages in their careers brings all these issues to life. Earth, Fire, Iron will inspire and assist both students and established makers and open everyone’s eyes to the potential of this elemental craft.

Publishing in September 2025 to coincide with the exhibition of the same name at The Museum in the Park, Stroud opening 6 September.