Master Metalsmith, Marc Begg, is the founder and artist behind Kyeburn, the award-winning studio that creates hand-forged pieces for indoor and outdoor areas, from statement entrance gates to elegant wooden baskets.
Soflos caught up with him to find out what inspires him, how his work combines the Cotswolds and elements from his New Zealand heritage and what comes next in the Kyeburn Studios.
What did you inspire you to pursue a career as a metalsmith?
I've always been a practical practical kind of person. As a child, I loved pulling things apart and understanding how they worked.
I think my love for the practical came from my father. He was carpenter and was always in the garage that repaired or made something new.
My enthusiasm for metal developed at school in the separate wood and metal shops as part of the high school curriculum. I loved working with a firm steel and using the various machines to shape and shape it. I took a metal shop as a GCSE compartment – something that unfortunately has disappeared from schools today.
I left the school and completed a four-year sheet metal engineering training. I love which trainees have to offer and we always try to have at least one apprentice on our workshop floor.
How did growing up in New Zealand influenced her artistic style?
I love New Zealand outdoors and I am heavily influenced when I grew up in the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand. I was always surrounded by natural beauty and a rich cultural heritage. My passion for metal members grew when I improved my skills and developed my unique style.
In New Zealand they often worked in very remote places with small teams. Therefore, they had to develop a “can” capacity rate, not just specifically for their trade. They often needed a wide range of skills to bring a project together.
These skills give me a spacious basis in many forms of metal members and sculpture, which means that I can bring mixed skills and techniques together in my work. Every design that I do is constantly thinking about how I bend, form or forge every element and find new solutions for the aesthetic and practical challenge presented.
Can you describe your process to create a new metal plant?
Every design and every customer brings with it a unique series of inspiration and requirements. For a customer commission, we will sit down and discuss your inspiration and wishes for the piece, including what you like and do not like. I often outline some ideas during our conversation. This helps to record your thoughts and can present important design elements that are advantageous for the end product.
The design process is a mixture of creativity and precision. I love this first phase of imagination, scribbled with pen and paper and awakened ideas for life. Often several design sketches are created, not only for the finished product, but often for individual components and sub -sections or perspectives. Every iteration of the sketch builds on the previous one, adds more details or contains the client feedback.
Sometimes these hand -drawn sketches are detailed enough to continue in the workshop and start manufacturing. In other cases, I can digitize them to better refine the details and to better visualize the end product.
This iterative and collaborative process ensures that the final piece is a real reflection of the customer's vision, which is mixed with my craftsmanship.
How can you compensate for the functionality with art in your creations?
I have a technical background and have spent so many years with the tools, I believe that a balance between functionality and art is of essential importance, especially if you create pieces for gardens or public spaces.
Before I start something, I like to have a detailed understanding of the intended use and the surrounding area of the piece. Functionality always comes first; The piece must fulfill its purpose whether it is a planter, a bank or a sculpture. However, I always think of the artistic aspect. Each functional element is an opportunity for inspiration and expression. For example, a goal can be a safe input and a visually breathtaking focus.
I recently created a few Grand Estate Gates and combined my customer's passion for all horses with the need for privacy and the desire to connect two different locations. The end product offers both privacy and security, which is seamlessly integrated into its surroundings and caused an emotional reaction to ensure that art and functionality coexist harmoniously.
Is there a fusion of cultural influences in your work?
Absolutely. When I grew up in New Zealand and completed my training there, I surrounded myself with a robust work morality, breathtaking landscapes and a rich Māori heritage. This environment gave me a profound appreciation for traditional craftsmanship and organic forms. When I moved to England, I was fascinated by his historical architecture and beauty.
In my designs, I strive to mix these influences by incorporating New Zealand motifs alongside the timeless elegance and complicated details for English architecture. My goal is to convey a feeling of harmony and depth in an honor and every design and to integrate elements from both cultures seamlessly.
Are there certain elements from New Zealand that involve them in their work?
I have a deep affection for traditional Māori symbols, especially the Koru (fern) and Hei Matau (fish hooks). The KORU symbolizes new beginnings, growth and regeneration, while the HEI MATAU depicts prosperity and a safe journey above water.
I try to include these motifs in my designs if possible. Traditional blacksmith goals are perfect for this, as the shapes of Koru and Hei Matau fit seamlessly into the many curves and vertebrae in Heritage smithy iron.
Can you share favorite projects?
I was lucky enough to work on a joint commission with a local carpenter company. We were commissioned to build a number of liturgical furniture for the Lady Chapel in the Gloucester Cathedral – three breathtaking pieces that have been used for centuries. The coming together of the wood and steel was a moment of immense pride. Knowing that my part of the project led to a permanent effect and gave others joy was really fulfilling.
I am currently involved in a particularly unforgettable project: design and manufacture of a sword state for the King's Guards. This project is intended to mix the rich historical traditions and inheritance of the monarchy and at the same time inspire by the five main servant regiments. The stand is intended as a proud symbol and honors those who have served in the past, those who serve in the present, and those who will serve in the future.
If you looked back, what was the most rewarding project of your career?
It was an incredibly worthwhile experience to support a disabled mother in designing and creating a Pram conversion.
The project was not just about transforming a stroller or designing an adapter. It was about empowering Laura and helping her to get a feeling of independence and freedom. Working in close cooperation with her, understanding her needs and working together on the design was a journey that deepened my appreciation for innovative solutions and the effects that you can have on the lives of a person. It was really a privilege to contribute to such a meaningful project and know that I played a role when I did it.
What's next at Kyeburn?
I have a few incredibly exciting projects on which I am currently working on. One is a joint collaboration with Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and his team. We work on a new café and bought in a historic village of Cotswold, in which the owner wants the café to be a place where people can enjoy a cup of coffee while being surrounded by beautifully designed elements that tell a story And inspire creativity. We integrate furniture design, works of art and architectural pieces into the design and everything is built from scratch. This project is a unique mix of our creative visions that aim to create a space that is not only functional, but also a work of art itself.
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Such a project that I also work is a historic London tourist attraction. We create works of art from components that were replaced during the restorations. These pieces are sold in their gift shops and offer visitors the opportunity to take home an authenticated piece of history. This project is particularly useful for me because it combines my passion for art with deep respect for history and inheritance. It is a wonderful opportunity to give this historical elements new life and share them with a wider audience.