"Crab," Eric Cuper. Photo
by Meg P. Keyes.
MADISON, N.J. - As an adjunct to the Museum of Early Trades and
Crafts' new permanent exhibit on the history of blacksmithing,
the museum is displaying an assortment of works by present-day
smiths in its exhibit, "."
The exhibit, which runs through June 22, features the work of
three New Jersey craftspeople - Maegan Crowley, Eric Cuper and
Adam Howard - and focuses on the artistic approaches to their
iron work.
These blacksmiths are at once artists and craftspeople who mesh
modern designs with traditional techniques. Like their early
American counterparts, their work includes functional pieces
while drawing on current, innovative motifs.
Crowley is the blacksmith-in-residence at Peters Valley Craft
Education Center in Layton, N.J. Inspired by soft materials, such
as clay, melting wax and flower petals, her work brings an
element of motion to her medium.
Cuper is a graduate of Southern Illinois University in
Carbondale, one of the few universities in the nation to offer a
degree in blacksmithing. Much of Cuper's work explores
water-related themes, featuring a mixture of hand-forged iron and
fabricated metal work.
Howard is the resident blacksmith at Red Mill Museum Village in
Clinton, N.J. He is among the many blacksmiths who combine their
artistic pursuits with custom orders for reproduction pieces,
such as cookware for historical reenactors.
The Museum of Early Trades and Crafts is on Main Street at
Green Village Road. For information, 973-377-2982, extension
13.
