František Bláha
- 1987
- Born in Vysoké Mýto
- 2006
- Trained as an artistic blacksmith and locksmith, Rybitví
- 2010
- Graduated in artistic blacksmithing and locksmithing, school of applied arts, Turnov
- 2011
- Study placement in Italy, workshop of master smith Roberto Giordani
- 2014
- Work placement in the USA
- 2015
- Own workshop and commissioned work
I was born in 1987 in Vysoké Mýto. After training as an artistic blacksmith and locksmith in Rybitví in 2006 I passed the entrance exams for the school of applied arts in Turnov and graduated in the same field in 2010. My graduation piece, a sculpture called Spěch (Haste), won first prize in the free-form and small-scale sculpture category at the 29th International Meeting of Artistic Blacksmiths at Helfštýn Castle and became part of the castle's permanent collection.
In 2011 I completed a study placement in Italy, in the workshop of master smith Roberto Giordani. Back home I gained experience in several forges, and all through those years I travelled to blacksmith gatherings in Czechia and abroad. In 2014 I left for a work placement in the USA. The following year I set up my own workshop and turned to commissioned work. Today I work in the village of Čím.
Awards
- 2009
- 1st prize, demonstrated work, 28th International Meeting of Artistic Blacksmiths, Helfštýn
- 2010
- 1st prize, free-form and small-scale sculpture, for Spěch, 29th International Meeting of Artistic Blacksmiths, Helfštýn
- 2010
- Jury prize for demonstrated work, Gotha, Germany
- 2012
- 3rd prize, demonstrated work, 31st International Meeting of Artistic Blacksmiths, Helfštýn
- 2019
- 3rd prize, demonstrated work, 37th International Meeting of Artistic Blacksmiths, Helfštýn
- 2023
- 1st prize for exhibited work, Lipnice nad Sázavou
- 2025
- 1st prize for a sculpture created on site, Blacksmith Meeting at Lipnice Castle
Exhibitions
- 2017
- Heřmanův Městec — group exhibition of graduates of the Turnov school of applied arts
Blacksmith projects
- 2012
- Ybbsitz, Austria — international collaboration on the monumental sculpture “NON CI SONO SCUSE”
- 2016
- Ybbsitz, Austria — monumental sculpture “CYKLISTEN” with graduates of the Turnov school of applied arts
- 2018
- Ybbsitz, Austria — epitaph honouring master blacksmith Prof. Alfred Habermann
- 2018
- Helfštýn — international collaboration on the sculpture “VLNA”, 30th Blacksmith Forum
- 2019
- Nemošice, Pardubice — forged sculpture for the 700th anniversary of the village
- 2019
- Stia, Italy — Biennale Arte Fabbrile, monumental sculpture “ARIA”
- 2022
- Ybbsitz, Austria — street lighting for the historic Eyblhammer forge, with graduates of the Turnov school
- 2023
- Helfštýn — sculpture “SOUMRAK MYŠLENÍ”, 35th Blacksmith Forum
How I work
Every piece gets an individual approach — I take into account the surrounding architecture, its style, the idea behind it and the way the work sits in its setting.
This black craft is a passion, a pastime and a hobby to me all at once. I always try to leave something of my own in every piece.
I will gladly make anything to your own design. I draw every design by hand, in pencil, for each piece separately — each one an original. Just get in touch and we will talk it through.
Selected sculptures
I make only originals.