Mark Gilsdorf, artist-blacksmith

firmitas–utilitas–venustas

Known as the “Vitruvian triad,” after the Roman architect Marcus Vitruvius, these three words in Latin translate as “solid-useful-beautiful.” They also serve as guide posts for the creative work I do. I focus on custom, hand-forged ironwork. I caught the “metal bug” in 2007 in a metal sculpture class at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. Since then my obessesion with transforming iron into lively, useful artwork has only deepened. In 2013 I started taking on more commission work and wandering down the path of working fulltime as an Artist-Blacksmith.