Matthew Dwyer

Matthew has worked as a blacksmith for twenty years, He first forged hot metal at the Phoenix Forge in Helmsley North Yorkshire and decided to take his interest in the craft further. To this end he enrolled at Hereford College of Technology on a basic blacksmith course.

When this course finished Matthew was offered a position to train further with eminent blacksmith Chris Topp and Co. During his time with Chris Topp Matthew worked on and managed many prestigious projects including Westminster Abbey, Chatsworth House and The Houses of Parliament and new work for Castle Howard and the New Queens Gallery
at Buckingham Palace to name but a few.

During his time with Chris Topp Matthew received advanced training with the Rural Development Commission, where he was part of a team working on a commemorative bench. This is now part of the permanent ironwork collection at The V&A Museum.
In 2007 Matthew was awarded a bronze medal by the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths in recognition of his skills as a blacksmith.

Matthew now lives and works near Helmsley in North Yorkshire. From where he produces a variety of large and small scale forge-work; gates, railings, curtain poles, candlesticks etc. Examples of his work can be seen at The Saltbox Gallery, where he and his wife, Louise, who is a jeweller both exhibit their work along with a further 80 makers. Matthew undertakes forge-work commissions for architectural, domestic and garden requirements, offering bespoke design through to installation.