Growing up in Dorset, at age 15 Paul Allen considered becoming a silversmith in Birmingham but the lure of the countryside led him to take up a forgework apprenticeship in blacksmithing at Cerne Abbas in Dorset – the start of a fascinating career of art in iron.

Eager to share his knowledge and enthusiasm, Paul left Cerne Abbas at the age of 26 and took on the challenge of using his skills and talent to train young blacksmiths all over England for the Council of Small Industries in Rural Areas. His flair for design led to major projects being awarded for the student apprentices, including a seat for the Ironwork Gallery in the V & A Museum and an ornate archway for the Zachary Gardens in London, commissioned by the Goldsmiths Company and incorporating their Assay mark.

National UK Champion Blacksmith in 1994, Paul is a certificated Licentiate Teacher and Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, as well as a Licentiate of the City & Guilds Institute. He is still actively involved in teaching as a part-time tutor at the National School of Blacksmithing in Hereford and is well known all over the country.

At home in his studio at Motcombe Forge Paul concentrates on his own creative work, specialising in contemporary art designs for individual commissions and sample pieces for the Cope-Cartlidge Gallery. Working in iron and other metals he uses only pure forgework techniques and the materials are chosen to enable the delicate designs to be worked by hand, create natural flow and balance whilst being fit for purpose. From sweeping, sinuous lines and personification of plant forms through to functional straight lines – long and narrow to emphasise compensating gentle curves. His designs are often inspired and influenced by natural shape and form from the countryside – commissions range from jewellery to commemorative swords and fine art pieces, which are both visual and functional.