John Haley

I began my career in metalsmithing in 1993 after replying to a classified ad in the local paper in Evergreen, Colorado. I had always had artistic leanings and had experimented in many mediums (music, painting/drawing, woodworking, video, etc.) but knew on the first day of my apprenticeship I had finally found my voice. I worked with Judd Evans for three years before setting up my own shop.

My work is heavily influenced by nature and the Art Nouveau movement, with the primary focuses being on line and composition. I enjoy implementing various textures into the work, the majority done with dies that are actually forged on the powerhammer. Lastly, I put a lot of effort into the patinas and have discovered some interesting effects over the years. The bulk of my work is purely sculptural but I also enjoy generating functional work such as benches, lamps and tables.

I’ve spent a good amount of time working in France and have a small blacksmithing shop set up there in a friend’s sculpture studio. I show in many group and solo shows, mostly in the Denver area, Los Angeles and Europe.