Personal profile





Name: Kaspar Swankey
Date of birth: 14/3/67
Address:










Telephone: 020 8746 3586
Mob: 07760 444 222
Email: kaspar@swankeypankey.com
Web site: swankeypankey.com


Employment:
1995 - Date:


Independent, Self Employed Blacksmith - Designing and making modern furniture and architectural metalwork from steel and other metals. Work consists of commissions, sales, repairs and odd jobs.
Notable works:




Minty – Bar: 50 Old Compton Street, Soho, London.
I was given complete design freedom for all the furniture, which I made for the double floor bar. The bar has since closed and the furniture was sold to the UK Hells Angels main headquarters in Shoreditch, London.
Also – Shop: Beauchamp Place, Knightsbridge, London.
The owner, an interior designer, commissioned me to make various fittings including a 2.5M high chandelier, counter, stair handrail and window display stands. I have also made furniture and fittings for the owner’s penthouse apartment on High Street Kensington, London. I regularly work with this client.
The Clock House – Private house above the Vivian Westwood shop: Kings Road, Chelsea, London.
Commissioned by the architect owner to make staircase newel-post, fire surrounds and grates, and various other fittings. I regularly work on architectural commissions with this client.
Coomb Lodge – Private house, Coomb Ridings, Kingston, Surrey.
The architect commissioned me to design and make the main entrance gates, handrails and other fittings for this newly built “Arts and Crafts” style house.
Biotechnology Industry Awards – Presented in the House of Commons
I have twice been commissioned to design and make the awards by the London First organisation.
Punk Car – For a fashion shoot in Dazed & Confused Magazine. I was supplied with a black Ford Capri and asked to modify it, abuse it and have fun with it in a “Mad Max” style to the photographer Liz Collins’ requirements.
Exhibitions:
May-02 Kew Bridge Workshops
Dec-01 Kew Bridge Workshops
Jun-01 Kew Bridge Workshops
Oct-93 Fire & Iron Gallery, Leatherhead, Surrey
Sep-92 Kew Bridge Workshops
.
2000 - Apr-04


Volunteer Youth Worker
Gurnell Grove Youth Club, Ealing - Includes directing groups of people and involving them in projects.
1992 - 1995

Blacksmiths Apprentice
Working for three blacksmiths concurrently
1989 - 2000

Information Assistant and Usher(part time)
ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts) The Mall, London.
1989 - 1991

Cabinet Maker (part time)
Undertaking commissions and carving.


Education:
2000 - 2001
Computer Skills
Macbeth Centre
Photoshop, HTML (Web-site design), Excel, Word.
1985 - 1989
Degree
South Bank University
BA(Hons) Architecture (part qualified)
1983 - 1985
A'levels
Upton-by-Chester County High School
Design, Art
1981 - 1983
O'levels

Upton-by-Chester County High School
Physics, English, Maths, Geometrical Engineering Drawing, Woodwork, Chemistry, Biology, Art.


Interests,
Passions, Preoccupations:
20th + 21st Century design and art.
Architecture.
Travel, the challenge of backpacking, beaches.
Swimming.
The Metropolis - City's are the most exciting places, fast, cultural variety, unlimited interests.
Atheism - God is a myth, religion preys upon weakness.
Barman and technician at "The Centre of Attention" art gallery (voluntary).
Creating - I love making things. I love my job. I get immense fulfilment when I have created something beautiful; enhanced by the knowledge it will last forever.