Julian Williams is dedicated to preserving the historical trade of Blacksmithing. His products are hand forged and connected with rivets and collars as in the authentic iron work from centuries ago. He exhibits imperial craftsmanship with style and elegance. Having studied at Trident Technical College and the American College of the Building Arts, Julian has also received scholarships, awards, and recognition in his field. While Julian also welds gates and other iron work, he says that the old way holds up better over the long haul and long haul to him means more than a hundred years.
He Is an Artist
Julian came searching out an art gallery willing to see iron work as art. He and Mary Martin were talking sculpture using the old methods within minutes. Soon, thereafter, Julian had his first sketch. What Martin recognized in Julian is that he was a perfect marriage between superb craftsman and artist. Martin has been facinated with the old iron gates of Philip Simmons and wanted to bring that art form into her gallery. Julian was inspired by and occasionally mentored by Philip Simmons as were other young men.
His History
Julian was born in Charleston thirty five years ago. At 18 he became a Fire Watcher at the Shipyard and enrolled in welding classes. He soon became certified in all welding phases with a variety of metals. At 21 he was fabricatingfor local companies. He bought his first welding machine at 21 and started welding scraps together making designs in his grandmother's back yard. At the age of 25 he started his own shop using his garage. Later he was offered a job at a local blacksmith ship fabricating gates and handrails, etc.At this time he won a full scholarship to the American College of the Building Arts studying architectural metal. Since then his work has been featured in a PBS program and a variety of publications including Preservation a magazine of the National Trust for Historical Preservation.
Artist Statement
Quality is better than Quantity. Preserving the historical method of Blacksmithing is important to me. The process of creating art work with iron describes my life. In order to create beautiful, admirable, and respectable pieces of ironwork I feel that it is my mission to do so in the methods used before welding was possible. I hope that people who visit Charleston can take a piece of history home with them. I want to create beautiful works of art honoring ancient Blacksmithing methods. I visualize my sculptures gracing the tables. mantels, and shelves of homes of those who visit Charleston.
Julian also sculpts by welding iron as well. The price is about half of the price of a similar sculpture with rivets and collars. These can be custom ordered. The pieces we show in the gallery are fabricated with the historical methods.
Mary Martin GALLERY 103 Broad Street, Charleston, SC 29401 New Location Gallery Row on Historic Broad Street 843-723-0303
We do our best to quote prices correctly on the website. However, we ask that you check the price with the gallery for complete accuracy prior to making a purchase.
