Collection Details

Name/TitleBlacksmith

About this objectThe painting depicts Gordon Blackwell, Blacktown City Council blacksmith, 1920 - 2010.

Mayoral Minute
It is with regret that I bring to your attention the passing of Mr Gordon Blackwell. Gordon Blackwell retired in May 2015 after spending 23 years as Council's official blacksmith. Gordon's retirement marked the end of 68 years of shaping metal, withstanding searing heat and, as it was said
at the time, 'forging without fakery'.

Mr Blackwell began his career at Lithgow in 1947 as a 16 year old apprentice blacksmith, and a short time later was heat treating rifles at the Small Arms factory. For 23 years, he demonstrated his trade at Nurragingy Reserve's Blacksmith Cottage, passing on his skills to trainees and demonstrating the unique magic of steel shaping to thousands of tourists.

Of his time in the blacksmith's trade, he said, there was not a day that he did not enjoy getting out of bed and going to the workshop. He made special mention of his work at the Blacksmith's Cottage where he said it was an absolute pleasure showing thousands of people the trade. He said there was no need for him to travel the world as he had the pleasure of meeting people from every country across the world when they visited Nurragingy.

Gordon is also fondly remembered for his years working at Hawkesbury Agricultural College. Gordon bemoaned the increase of electric tools in his trade and the throwaway society. He said that if you wanted to find out how good a blacksmith, take away his electric tools. According to Gordon, a good smithy only needs hot steel, the right tools and a good anvil; no grinders, no oxy torches, nothing but muscles, skill and a good anvil.

Gordon died last month at the age of 90. It was my privilege to join members of his family and a very wide circle of friends at his funeral at the Richmond Lawn Cemetery. Vale Gordon Blackwell.

Cr T Bleasdale, Mayor City of Blacktown, 26 February 2020

MakerCurtis, John Leslie

Maker RoleArtist

Date Made1992

Medium and MaterialsOil paint on canvas board

Place MadeOceania, Australia, New South Wales, Sydney, Blacktown

Inscription and MarksSigned on lower right

TechniquePainted

MeasurementsImage: 42 h x 60 w cm
Frame: 79 h x 96 w cm

Named CollectionBlacktown City Art Collection

Credit Line© John Leslie Curtis
Acquired 2020, gift from the artist
Blacktown City Art Collection

Object TypePainting

Object numberBCC CTS 003