Heiner Zimmermann is a second generation German blacksmith. His
father, Paul Zimmermann, had his works published and thus
influenced American and European blacksmiths throughout the 70's
and 80's. It was through working with his father and uncle that
Heiner had the unique opportunity to meet and work with leading
smiths around the world including Hermann Gradinger of Germany,
Olaf Punt of Norway, Alfred Habermann of the Czech Republic, Allen
Evans of England, and Jeffrey Funk of the USA.
He completed his academic studies with a Master’s Degree in art
and did additional studies in welding and restoration. His
knowledge and skill led to a professorship at University Gothenburg
Sweden which, like Southern Illinois University Carbondale, is one
of only a few colleges in the world to offer advanced art degrees
with a focus on blacksmithing.
What We Talked About

Heiner shares that his childhood was always filled with a
supportive artistic environment. He spent a lot of time in his
father’s forge and had the opportunity to forge his own first piece
at the age of 12, it was a sword.
By the age of 16 Heiner was already working in the forge
assisting with forging, striking and installations. Around that age
you needed to choose your career path and blacksmithing was, at
first, not Heiner’s first choice.  Though, after thinking
about it some more, he chose to become a blacksmith and was
educated by his father for 3 ½ years.
Heiner learned his first business lesson at a blacksmith
conference when Dick Quinnell offered to buy Heiner’s candle holder
from the gallery. Heiner sold it to him for a paltry price, then
Dick Quinnell said “OK, I will now take it home and sell it for
twice the price, so now I have taught you a business lesson”.
Through the 1990’s Heiner received a few grants to be able to
further his education by apprenticing with other blacksmiths around
the world. The most important lesson he learned through his travels
was that the world became smaller to him which made him focus on
the similarities that the blacksmiths share, things that unite
them, not the things that divide them.  This revelation works
it way into Heiner's artwork.   
Heiner has a lot of thoughts on the blacksmith craft and where
it’s going in the 21st He will address his thoughts and ideas at
the ABANA 2016 conference during his lecture.  He will talk
about what a blacksmith’s role is in today’s world, what they
represent and how does society view blacksmiths
today.  
The blacksmith craft started centuries ago from people taking
risks with innovation such as punching holes in hot iron and forge
welding. These techniques have been handed down over generations
and Heiner feels a great responsibility to preserve the craft and
keep it alive.  His contributions to preserving the craft are
being open minded to trying new things, taking risks, creating new
contemporary techniques, pushing the boundaries.
When ABANA approached Heiner to give a lecture at this year’s
“Education” themed conference, Heiner had an idea to include
leaders from the three most prominent higher education institutions
that offer a blacksmith program, Southern Illinois University,
Hereford College of the Arts and University of Gothenburg. ABANA
agreed to include Rick Smith from SIU and Delyth Done from Hereford
to join Heiner in lecturing on higher education and intentions and
practice in the craft.  They will also hold a “critique talk”
panel discussion where they will critique pieces made from
attendees. 
Heiner talks about how to be a successful blacksmith today in
business terms. Competing with manufacturing will not work in
today’s world, so selling the process and the story behind the
piece will work.  He discusses the difference between
functional design and sculptural design, the intention, the process
and how we communicate as artists.
The metal art program where Heiner teaches (Craft and Design at
Steneby, University of Gothenburg) their first-year students to
take risks, experimen