Jenny Pickford

Blacksmith

The uplifting power of sculpture

Jenny is one of the UK’s leading female artist blacksmiths
Her designs combine forged, galvanised steel and blown glass
Her large-scale public art pieces have an emotional power

Jenny grew up on a farm and has always been inspired by the natural world. “I think people in cities are often more disconnected from nature than we used to be and so I hope my art helps people reconnect with the natural world,” she says. Jenny’s vision and energy is infectious. Her designs posses a unique drama, yet work in total harmony with their surroundings. She is a regular exhibitor at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, has exhibited at Buckingham Palace as part of the Coronation Festival and her Agapanthus sculpture was the show feature at the Chicago Flower Show in 2012.

Interview

How did you get started?: I did a taster course in blacksmithing at Hereford College. I remember making a toasting fork out of iron and the versatility of the material just wowed me. I then did a taster course in glassblowing at Stourbridge and it was like magic. My course was set!
Why do you specialise in steel and glass?: There are no limits to what you can do with steel – from making a sewing needle to a skyscraper! You can really make huge objects look delicate. Together, iron and glass combine strength and fragility, something that is very important to me in my work.
What stage of the process do you love most?: Seeing my pieces installed. It’s all about the light. In Norfolk, the huge skies and the long evening light are a constant inspiration. At times, I have struggled with depression. So my sculptures are always set so that the viewer looks into the light – it's literally and metaphorically significant.
Why do you make large-scale public art?: I love the emotional power of large-scale sculpture. I once designed a 4.5m bluebell outside a hospital that cares for patients with advanced life limiting illnesses. One patient told me that as they went in for a final cancer scan, they looked at my bluebell and forgot why they were there.

Jenny Pickford is a master artisan: she began her career in 2002 and she started teaching in 2018