Instagram: intofocusforge
About Lucas
I am a sculptor who creates abstract works which explore formal qualities in forged steel. I embrace traditional and contemporary blacksmithing techniques, favoring processes of shearing, subtle mark making using set hammers, punches and hot cut butchers (rodded chisels), hand fullering and mirror polished accents.
My artworks were initially motivated through conscious consideration of people and incidents from my past, significant moments along the path that led me to the Artist Blacksmithing degree at Hereford College of Arts. As my creative process has become established, I’m now in a cyclic process of making, drawing on paper and in steel.
Charcoal drawing on paper is a vital complementary aspect of my practice, but rather than ‘designing’ on paper, it parallels actions that are then revisited in the forge. Rhythms, shapes, marks, expressive gestures embodied through studio work are explored intuitively through steel.
I view the forged sculptures resulting from this cycle as journal entries. Once I’ve completed a sculpture, I sit with it, reflect, and write. In these reflections, the sculpture’s narrative reveals itself. Allowing subconscious acts whilst making to come to the surface. I process material to process life; and then invite the viewer to share in this meditative space the artwork holds.
Into Focus
‘Into Focus’ is a culmination of developing my studio practice through mark making and reflective thinking, followed by gaining trust in steel through tacit knowledge and conversation with the material throughout the making process.
One or One?
The choice between two people.
It can make you feel guilty.
Where do you put your trust?
In the “Guides”? or facts? or gut feeling?
Which ever has the most power to you will give you the answer for who you choose.
Guilt is overwhelming but temporary.
Practice gratitude towards your choices;
you got through them all, you’re still here.
H: 32 W: 21 D: 13 (cms)
Mild steel, Teak oil.
2026
Photo credit
Oliver Cameron-Swan
Bloomy
Mentors can struggle, what they bring out in you are the best qualities of yourself.
Maybe because they appreciate those qualities in their own life.
Mentors are not immune.
Show them the attention they showed you.
Use what they taught you to help and support them.
They deserve it all.
H: 22 W: 26 D: 11 (cms)
Mild steel, Teak oil.
Photo credit
Oliver Cameron-Swan
Portfolio 2026
Mind Your Head
Your close friends are so important.
When they appear sad or angry, give them the space to feel comfortable so they have a choice to potentially confide in you.
Recognise who in your life needs that space, and give it to them; they deserve your time and attention.
Be in their corner, as they would be in yours.
H: 44 W: 14 D: 25 (cms)
Mild steel, Teak oil.
Photo credit
Oliver Cameron-Swan
Portfolio 2026
Bearing
Wisdom is to be shared.
If you’re lucky enough to have experienced a mentor’s wisdom, not much else needs to be said.
These mentors have had their own paradigm shifts and subtle interactions. What they’ve taken from these creates a truly beautiful being to be listened to and respected.
Truly relfect on your mentor or mentors and recognise that they have instilled in you and be grateful for it.
The natural timeline is to eventually pass that wisdom on. Becoming a mentor shouldn’t feel like a chore; it’s natural and unconsciously done.
Be thankful.
H: 49 W: 22 D: 7 (cms)
Mild steel, Teak oil.
Photo credit
Oliver Cameron-Swan
Portfolio 2026
Align
Neither choice is wrong.
You have gone through your life picking up these subtle moments that shape you and paradigm shifts that direct you.
This choice could be two jobs or two lifestyles or two relationships.
The important part is you can’t compromise; only one can join you on your journey.
One could be very safe and clear the other could be more challenging and fulfilling.
Choose which suits you best, and recognise now which you chose and what it led to.
Be thankful.
H: 40 W: 38 D: 12 (cms)
Mild steel, Teak oil.
Photo credit
Oliver Cameron-Swan
Portfolio 2026
Passage
As life advances you find yourself choosing your own path, but fate and exterior powers can shift your life into a different direction. The outcome is that you need to consciously change the way you live and deal with such shifts.
Falling in love, losing a close family member, finding your calling or sustaining a hard injury; these are all represented by that shift.
Recognise your shifts and how you’ve changed.
Reflection and gratitude are essential.
There are also the subtleties of your life, small choices and interactions you have; these don’t shift your life but do alter it’s space.
The shifts are in your path, the subtle is on your path, again gratitude through reflection is the answer.
Be thankful.
H: 31 W: 16 D: 9 (cms)
Mild steel, Teak oil.
Photo credit
Oliver Cameron-Swan