I am an artist blacksmith combining traditional hand forging techniques with modern methods to create a variety of sculptural, functional and architectural metalwork. I will travel to India and Japan to immerse myself in regional metalwork techniques, learning from skilled artisans, exploring different methods of working, education and more sustainable approaches. This will give me a comprehensive view of craft practice in a variety of contexts and social settings.

As a British female of Indian descent, I am a minority in my craft practice in the UK. I aim to discover whether culture and gender play a role in pursuing a career in blacksmithing and metalwork. My goal is to share my learnings within my craft sector, encouraging institutions and blacksmithing programmes to incorporate a wider range of techniques, styles and cultural learning.

By broadening mindsets, barriers can be broken down, fostering more inclusive environments that respect and value diverse perspectives and people, encouraging and enabling individuals regardless of background and gender to enter the craft community with more confidence, as well as raising awareness that blacksmithing and metal craft can be a viable and accessible option.