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Q&A: metalsmith Lloyd Hughes

By Vicky Broadus vbroadus@herald-leader.com

Lloyd Hughes is a first-time exhibitor this weekend at Francisco's Farm Arts Festival in Midway, but that doesn't mean he's new to his craft.

Hughes is a fourth-generation metalsmith who has created artistic and functional pieces for more than 30 years. His ­business chugged along under the radar for a long time, because for years he worked almost ­entirely for William T. Young. Since Young died four years ago, Hughes has been ­making his name better known with business and private commissions large and small, builders and craft shows.

He's a juried member of Kentucky Crafted and the Kentucky Guild of Artists and Craftsmen, and he is past president of the National Ornamental and Miscellaneous Metals Association.

We talked with Hughes about his craft.

Question: What was it like working for one of the best-known names in Lexington?

Answer: Mr. Young gave me a lot of ­artistic license. He encouraged me to get into furniture and try new things. I always knew what I was doing next day, next week, next month. ...

Q: You're a fourth-generation metalsmith. What did the previous generations do?

A: My great-grandfather was the village blacksmith in Middleport, N.Y., at the turn of the last century. In fact, it's likely his father was, too. My grandfather made metalwork into a relatively big business, with as many as 50 employees at one time. And he was an inventor, too, though usually under ­contract, so he missed out on the patents. And my father did steel fabrication for GM in ­Lockport, N.Y.

Q: What brought you from New York to Kentucky?

A: I came here in '71 to go to UK. My brother was already here. Back then I thought I was going into telecommunications, but it didn't work out that way. My brother started working at Kentucky Ornamental Iron as a designer and asked me to join him. He's since bought and sold that business.

Q: What sets your work apart from other ironworks?

A: Everything's hand-forged, meaning it's put into the 2,300-degree fire in order to bend and shape it with different hammers and dies. And I do more riveting than welding, a more traditional joinery.

Q: Do you have a favorite material?

A: I guess I like working in bronze.

Q: How does that differ from working with, say, steel?

A: Steel I can put in the fire, walk away, answer the phone, and it will be waiting for me when I get back. It won't melt at 2,300 degrees. Bronze melts at 1,600 degrees. If I'm working on bronze, it has my full attention. If it's too hot, it can split or fall apart.

Q: How do you achieve the different colors on many of the pieces?

A: Chemicals like copper nitrate and sulfate are used on bronze to turn it to green. The reds are my own formula. The chemicals are applied when the piece is warmed to 200 to 300 degrees; they vaporize when they hit, leaving the color behind.

Q: Your work features elements from nature, often in unexpected places, but there are also a number of more abstract pieces. Which artists have most influenced you?

A: Probably Diego Giacometti and ­Alexander Calder.

Q: What most engages you about the work?

A: The possibilities.

Q: What kinds of pieces will you be bringing to Francisco's Farm?

A: There'll be a mixture of smaller pieces, such as tabiles — which are mobiles for the table — mirrors, clocks, lamps, candlesticks, bowls ... in other words, something for everybody.

Q: And where can people find you the rest of the year?

A: Hughes Metalsmithing has been at 413-415 Chair Avenue since 1987. All my work can be seen at my Eclectic Hammer Gallery next to the shop.