Meet the New Breed of Sydney Blacksmiths Bringing the Industrial Metalcraft Back to Life

It might be 130 years old, but Australia’s oldest steam locomotive workshop, Eveleigh Works, is still clanking away. No longer making steam trains, the enormous workspace is more like an industrial archaeology site, with all manner of preserved machines.

But it’s now powered by a new generation of blacksmiths who want to give the public hands-on access to metalcraft via a series of workshops that run the gamut from knife and axe making to crafting a whole toolbox. The workshop is run by forge master and industrial blacksmith Matt Mewburn, who works on everything from large-scale sculptures and artworks to more practical architectural works like spiral staircases and gates.

His latest collaboration, a rainbow serpent steel sculpture with First Nations artist Badger Bates, has been on display at The Cutaway at this year’s Biennale of Sydney. And walking around the South Eveleigh precinct you can see his handiwork everywhere. He made the swinging pendant at the entrance to Kylie Kwong’s restaurant Lucky Kwong, and the intricate metal treehouses built in collaboration with Sydney artist Nell, which are shingled with metal leaves made by locals who attended his blacksmithing classes.

“These are the kind of jobs that are the most meaningful to me. It’s not just creative, but also builds the community. It has a bit of social impact which I really enjoy,” Mewburn tells Broadsheet. “I used to just do private commissions but as soon as I took over this amazing and historical workshop, I knew it had to be shared and classes are a great way to do it.”

Having completed a three-year course in blacksmithing at Ultimo Tafe – the only course of its kind in Australia – Mewburn wants to bring the tactile element back to the craft and community. The expansive workshop still uses its collection of Victorian-era blacksmithing equipment – one of the largest and most integral in the world.

“It’s like we’re back in the late 19th century when we’re doing heavy work, doing it manually, without computers or robots, and everything is left to the skill of the operator of the machine,” says Mewburn.

“Australia doesn’t have that many blacksmiths on this hands-on level. There are either really big industrial steel blacksmiths who use computers and robots, and do really complicated forging, or there are hobbysmiths,” explains James Livesey, Mewburn’s colleague and right-hand man. “This place is unique, as you get to come along and dip your toe in and see if it’s something you want to get more involved in.” Of the four blacksmiths who work there permanently, two got started at the workshops.

“Our blacksmithing classes are for anyone who is curious and wants to do something new – the same way you would attend a glassblowing or pottery class. We’re focused on the recreational side of things. It’s really focused on people doing a short course, having a fun time and getting exposure to something different,” says Mewburn.

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