His roots originating along the Northern coast of California, Casey Hebel is a blacksmith practicing the traditional art of forging steel, iron, and other non-ferrous materials using a hammer and anvil. Joining the United States Marine Corps in 2016, he served as an Asprey Crew Chief. During his five years of service, he traveled the whole breadth of the lower 48 states and spent over two years in Japan. While living in Japan he was able to experience the robust cultural variety located within the Eastern Pacific, visiting places such as Bali, Guam, Singapore, and the Philippines. Once his time serving in the USMC was completed, he moved from San Diego, California to Charleston, SC where he is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree from The American College of Buildings Arts for Architectural Ironwork. Casey has worked under the master blacksmith, Stefan Simmet in Germany and has competed in two of the largest international blacksmithing competitions on the globe Ferraculum 2022 in Ybbsitz, Austria and Stia 2023 in Stia, Italy. Artist Statement I am an American Blacksmith based out of Charleston, SC who makes functional sculptures through the process of forging steel and other materials using age-old techniques and traditions. I draw inspiration from the Industrial Revolution machinery , Art Deco era house appliances and train , and the colonial era with additional inspiration from the late Austinian blacksmith, Alfred Harbermann. Along with these stylistic influences, I find the clash of opposing forces to be my greatest inspiration, for example, the tension between nature and the man-made world or classicism vs modernity. With these inspirations and clashing ideals, I hope to create works of art that can blend the beauty of all in a unified and cohesive experience that will be able to transcend generations.