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Forged in Firelight: Bex Simon on the Art, Grit, and Grace of Modern Blacksmithing
2025-03-11
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In this deeply introspective episode of AART Podcast, host Chris Stafford sits down with acclaimed British Artsmith and blacksmith Bex Simon, whose sculptural metalwork transforms fire and steel into soulful art. From the rhythmic clang of the forge to the quiet power of creativity, Bex shares her personal journey as a woman redefining blacksmithing in the modern art world. Explore how craftsmanship becomes self-expression, how heat and hammering reveal resilience, and why art forged by hand carries such emotional weight. Bex opens up about her creative process, public art commissions, and the spiritual balance between strength and vulnerability that fuels her work. Whether you’re an artist, designer, maker, or creative mind, this episode will leave you inspired to forge your own path — no matter the heat.
🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and YouTube.
🔑 SEO Tags / Keywords Bex Simon, British blacksmith, artsmith, women in metalwork, women in art, blacksmith interview, creative podcast, artist podcast, sculpture art, metal art, craftsmanship, art and creativity, British artist, AART Podcast, Chris Stafford podcast, artistic process, creative storytelling, women in sculpture, public art, forging art, modern blacksmithing, artist interview, creative resilience, introspective podcast, fire and steel art, UK artist spotlight, maker culture, metal sculpture inspiration, blacksmithing artistry
Bex Simon is a British Artsmith who has overcome difficult mental health issues to become highly sought after for her creative work in metal. Bex is unconstrained in her approach to design by combining geometric shapes and textures. Her sculptures and public art tell stories relative to the surrounding environment and can be found around the UK. Bex was born in Chertsey, Surrey in 1973, the third of four children—she has an older sister and brother and a younger brother. She reflects on a very strict upbringing from parents Tim, a computer programmer and Gel a retired teacher who later volunteered at a school for handicapped children; a relationship which has mellowed with time and understanding of Bex’s mental health. Bex was attracted to the art of blacksmithing as a teenager and despite struggling at school with dyslexia, she studied at the Surrey Institute of Art and Design – Foundation graduating in 1992. In 1995 she graduated with a BA in Three-Dimensional Design in Metal Surrey from the Institute of Art and Design; followed in 1998 by a Diploma and National Certificate from Hereford College of Technology and in 2017 a Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Forge Work DFS from Herefordshire and Ludlow College. In 2019 she began studying Geometry at the Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts. In 1999 Bex moved to London and established her creative blacksmithing business with the help of the Prince’s Trust. Initially, she worked on private commissions acquired from exhibiting regularly at RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows. Later, she moved on to larger scale public artwork projects via collaborations with a selected group of artist blacksmiths. Her biggest commission to date being a forty meter public artwork for Westminster Magistrates’ Courts in London. It was for that installation that she became the first woman to receive the Tonypandy Cup; the most prestigious award given by the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths. Bex lives in North Devon with her husband Dave and their daughters Molly and Lyonie.
The book that Bex recommended on the YouTube video -
https://www.youtube.com/@theaartpodcast -
The Creative Art, A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
Bex’s links:
https://bexsimon.com/
https://www.instagram.com/bexsimonartsmith/
Bex’s favorite female artists:
Zaha Hadid
Emma Kunz
Lousie Bourgeois
Bex’s playlist:
Beastie Boys / Sabotage
Sinead O’Connor / Troy
Doja Cat / Paint the Town Red
Radiohead / Street Spirit
Sleaford Mods / Nudge It
The Sundays / Can’t Be Sure
Chase & Status / Backbone
Goldfrapp / Ooh La La
System of A Down / Chop Suey
Royksopp Robyn / Monument
Nia Archives / Off Wiv Ya Headz
Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
The AART Podcast on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@theaartpodcast
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/women-unscripted--4769409/support.
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🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and YouTube.
🔑 SEO Tags / Keywords Bex Simon, British blacksmith, artsmith, women in metalwork, women in art, blacksmith interview, creative podcast, artist podcast, sculpture art, metal art, craftsmanship, art and creativity, British artist, AART Podcast, Chris Stafford podcast, artistic process, creative storytelling, women in sculpture, public art, forging art, modern blacksmithing, artist interview, creative resilience, introspective podcast, fire and steel art, UK artist spotlight, maker culture, metal sculpture inspiration, blacksmithing artistry
Bex Simon is a British Artsmith who has overcome difficult mental health issues to become highly sought after for her creative work in metal. Bex is unconstrained in her approach to design by combining geometric shapes and textures. Her sculptures and public art tell stories relative to the surrounding environment and can be found around the UK. Bex was born in Chertsey, Surrey in 1973, the third of four children—she has an older sister and brother and a younger brother. She reflects on a very strict upbringing from parents Tim, a computer programmer and Gel a retired teacher who later volunteered at a school for handicapped children; a relationship which has mellowed with time and understanding of Bex’s mental health. Bex was attracted to the art of blacksmithing as a teenager and despite struggling at school with dyslexia, she studied at the Surrey Institute of Art and Design – Foundation graduating in 1992. In 1995 she graduated with a BA in Three-Dimensional Design in Metal Surrey from the Institute of Art and Design; followed in 1998 by a Diploma and National Certificate from Hereford College of Technology and in 2017 a Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Forge Work DFS from Herefordshire and Ludlow College. In 2019 she began studying Geometry at the Prince’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts. In 1999 Bex moved to London and established her creative blacksmithing business with the help of the Prince’s Trust. Initially, she worked on private commissions acquired from exhibiting regularly at RHS Chelsea and Hampton Court Flower Shows. Later, she moved on to larger scale public artwork projects via collaborations with a selected group of artist blacksmiths. Her biggest commission to date being a forty meter public artwork for Westminster Magistrates’ Courts in London. It was for that installation that she became the first woman to receive the Tonypandy Cup; the most prestigious award given by the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths. Bex lives in North Devon with her husband Dave and their daughters Molly and Lyonie.
The book that Bex recommended on the YouTube video -
https://www.youtube.com/@theaartpodcast -
The Creative Art, A Way of Being by Rick Rubin
Bex’s links:
https://bexsimon.com/
https://www.instagram.com/bexsimonartsmith/
Bex’s favorite female artists:
Zaha Hadid
Emma Kunz
Lousie Bourgeois
Bex’s playlist:
Beastie Boys / Sabotage
Sinead O’Connor / Troy
Doja Cat / Paint the Town Red
Radiohead / Street Spirit
Sleaford Mods / Nudge It
The Sundays / Can’t Be Sure
Chase & Status / Backbone
Goldfrapp / Ooh La La
System of A Down / Chop Suey
Royksopp Robyn / Monument
Nia Archives / Off Wiv Ya Headz
Host: Chris Stafford
Produced by Hollowell Studios
Follow @theaartpodcast on Instagram
The AART Podcast on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@theaartpodcast
Email: theaartpodcast@gmail.com
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/women-unscripted--4769409/support.
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