While Radiant Pavilion may refer to stone setting in jewellery practice, specifically the area of the uncut gem-stone below the girdle, there are other, relevant readings, and my first reference engages the field of blacksmithing.
Melbourne’s metalsmithing community has the good fortune of an accessible and affordable facility for blacksmithing at the Barn, the home of the ABA(Vic), the Australian Blacksmithing Association of Victoria, located in Coopers Settlement within Bundoora Park. The rare, portable iron, Scottish High Barn, dating from 1870’s, is in essence my notion of a radiant pavilion, especially on entering when the forges are lit and operational, radiant in fact.
In turn, the collection of forges themselves, with their companion peaked vents, present visibly as radiant pavilions when in operation on Doris Days, on the first Saturday of each month, when the practitioners of Blacksmith Doris gather. The Doris’ forge on with the ancient artisan craft, with the notable distinctions that these are women who blacksmith.
The artists among the Doris’ often pursue individual, and contemporary outcomes with the medium, in more of a research capacity, quietly (or not) demanding a blacksmithing revival of an essential craft base, by fanning the fire of enquiry.
Dianne Beevers
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