James’s approach is informed by his background which combines an arts degree with a hands on apprenticeship training. These two very different educational paths have given James much creative insight and informed his practice as a maker.
Originally studying a BA hons in craft design at Brighton Art College, James went on to train in Blacksmithing at Hereford. Quickly realising that the best way to learn the craft was as a journeyman, James travelled to Switzerland where he was lucky enough to work with world renowned master blacksmith Christoph Friedrich at his water powered forge. Returning to the UK, James worked for several highly regarded smiths in the Surrey hills, but was left eager to develop his own work, finally establishing his first workshop in West Sussex in 2002.
Since then James has continued to develop his own practice working on projects both in the UK and abroad.
