Soft Smiths. Contemporary Women’s* Metalwork

Slavic beliefs assumed the existence of many gods, but none of them would exist without the god of the sun, fire and metallurgy, Svarog. He is sometimes compared to Mercury of the Romans, or the Hermes of the Greeks. He controlled all the deities during sleep, and his power was almost unlimited. Svarog was the patron of blacksmiths, who prided themselves on playing an important role in their communities, creating metal tools, fittings, keys, horseshoes, and in times of war also weapons and ammunition. They were credited with possessing secret, alchemical knowledge, which is why not everyone was allowed into this profession, and women were excluded entirely. After centuries of oppression, women decided to rebel against the patriarchal power of Svarog. They began by taking over the forges and the machines. They called themselves blacksmiths and welders; strong women wielding fire and liquid metal. Today, in smoky forges and pristine workshops, they heat the ore to red-hot, then flatten, bend, forge, or cut the bars. They weld the surface of steel or cast aluminum. They pound with heavy hammers and harden the finished shapes in cold water. Dressed in aprons, protective gloves, and visors, they create metal sculptures and installations. Fire and physical craft work give them a sense of agency, emancipation, and strength. We women blacksmiths, young and old alike, have brought to life new goddesses—Svarogi, who from this time onwards will watch over every tool or weapon leaving the forge so that they are used for a good purpose. The exhibition Svarogi presents eleven contemporary women artists from Poland and Europe involved in metalwork. These are artists fully engaged in the creative process and the development of artisan skills. They seek to tame that which has been considered dangerous for centuries. They weld and liquefy metal, cut steel with laser and plasma, joining it together cold and hot. They adopt techniques that in the history of art were used to create monuments to great people (men), commemorate wars, and represent the glory of a nation, but also to create large buildings, bridges, ships, i.e. symbols of colonial power, industrial growth, and technological progress. Today, the female artists are using traditional techniques to demystify and destabilize historical narratives. They have introduced new topics, sensibilities and poetics into the frozen metalwork.