Braidwood Iron Corroboree

The Iron Corroboree was the brainchild of Christoph Altenburg and a distinguished small group of committed metal workers. It has now been an integral part of the cultural aspect of Braidwood and beyond for 37 years, hosting many international blacksmiths and metal workers from around Australia.

Recently an exhibition titled Forged Over Time was held at Altenburg & Co. Gallery in Braidwood celebrated 30 years of artistic inspiration and camaraderie, with exhibits from participants at the Corroboree over the years. It included early artistic pieces right up to that made at the most recent event during the previous February.

The following article was included in the National Blacksmith Magazine the following year.

Braidwood Iron Corroboree 30 year Exhibition
'Forged Over Time', an exhibition of metal sculptural and utilitarian work by participants of the Braidwood Iron Corroboree, was recently held at Altenburg & Co Gallery in Braidwood, a small rural community in NSW, renowned for its artistic reputation and home to many artists and craftsmen alike.

The Iron Corroboree was the brainchild of Christoph Altenburg and a distinguished small group of committed artists working with metal, and has been an integral part of the cultural calendar of Braidwood since 1985. This exhibition celebrated these 30 years of artistic inspiration and camaraderie, with contributions from 40 of the many participants over the years. It included early artistic pieces right up to work made at the most recent event held last February on the banks of the Shoalhaven River not far from the town.

“This coming together of blacksmiths, silversmiths, designers, sculptors, farriers, engineers and other creative souls for a brief period in the summer heat, provides a fertile ground for the positive ...… with rewards and results that often manifest some considerable time after this merging of minds”, Michael Le Grande, the former head of the Sculpture Department at the Canberra School of Fine Art, A.N.U. commented in his opening speech. An introduction by Victoria Royds, one of the founding members, gave an in-depth account of the historical beginnings of the Corroboree.

A sculptural gate, collaboratively made at the first Braidwood Iron Corroboree by the half dozen participants was a featured piece in this show. Robert Foster, one of these original participants said, “The event is always a more enriching experience than just bashing hot metal!”
Another elder, Ralf Zibar is quoted as saying, “After a long absence it’s like coming home”. Renowned for its exquisite ram’s head features, Ralf's iron work is a testament to European technical skills and the centuries of traditional craftsmanship in what is now an endangered practice.

Visitors to "Forged Over Time" enjoyed interaction with a quirky piece titled "Ambience Junkies Rehabilitation Center" by Thomas Westra of Moruya. Made from steel and stainless, visitors were drawn to the vertical movement of large ball bearings tracking their way through the piece, gravitationally falling from left to right in a clatter of spontaneous movement. Upon it were written words he associates with iron, “Fun, drum, steel, heat, rust, people, tribe, rhythm, eclectic, co-operation, iron, here, aboriginal, good times, metal, like now, shower, hammer, Christoph, river, empty beer bottle, memories, heaven, sassafras, creativity, freedom, art.”

Some of the notable artists exhibiting included Michael Le Grand, Nick Stranks, Paul Westra, Sam and Tom Westra, Cecile Galiazzo, Greg Healy, Mike McGregor, Fran Ifould, Tony Steel, Suzie Bleach and Andrew Townsend, Isobel Rayson, Rhonda Bell, Victoria Royds, Glen Moon, Allan Geier, Paul William Bott, Rachael Devlin, Robert Foster and Ralf Zibar.

Exhibits included cast and forged sculptures, drawings, jewelry, kitchen utensils, screens, a large display of hand forged knives, fire pokers and photographs of the event. At the opening a large group gathered, celebrating the legacy left by Christoph Altenburg, a distinguished jeweller, remembered fondly by friends and family for his wit, generosity and philosophical musings. His advice was, "as long as it looks good, function is a bonus". Written in large letters on the side of his studio was "Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape"

Written by Fran Ifould
Photos Rhonda Bell