Ian Gillies - Metal Sculptor and Newfoundland Blacksmith

I can only be so artsy fartsy with hammer and heat 🙂 Just finished my latest Pitcher Plant and as always, my most recent is my favourite 🙂

They can be purchased The Artisan Loft or by message me here directly.

Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Walter Surface Technologies

Made from 100% wrought iron railing, I call it “Family”. Can you see why I call it family?

Can be seen with my and other work and purchase The Artisan Loft

What a great memory from someone who had purchased my “Rowdy Cod” sculpture:)

“A Tale of Rowdy the Cod

Last fall, I caught glimpse of Ian Gillies - Metal Sculptor and Newfoundland Blacksmith elegant steel sculpture of my home province's official flower. While the pitcher plant is also found in northeastern BC and parts of the Northwest Territories, this carnivorous little plant is found in boggy areas across Newfoundland and Labrador. I arranged to buy one, and Ian delivered it to Patricia Shears and Gordon Puddester just before Christmas. They have been just a bit reluctant to see it move to Vancouver so I think it will keep them company in Mount Pearl!

I then followed Ian's work more closely, inspired by his tribute to the "Rowdy Man" (and sadly recently deceased Newfoundland actor) Gordon Pinsent. Ian crafted a grinning, curious, and forward-leaning sculpture of a cod, which he described as a symbol of "...the deteriorating fishery and the strong resilient people of Newfoundland and Labrador." Ian took Rowdy the Cod on a tour across the island, sharing beautiful vistas with his audiences and inspiring us to reflect on the bounty of artistic talent back home. (I've attached a few pictures, with permission, of the coverage of Rowdy Cod's tour to illustrate.)

We popped back to St. John's earlier this spring, a trip cut short thanks to foolishness at Toronto Pearson Airport, and we stayed at a place in the Battery. I was catching up on some work when I saw that Luc Durand was up to something - chatting away with a familiar looking fellow, and lugging something inside the house.

Without us ever talking about Ian, Gord Pinsent, Rowdy Cod, or pitcher plants, Luc had spotted the sculpture and bought it as a gift. When I stepped out of the office and spotted Ian's work, I was floored. "You BOUGHT Rowdy Cod? OMG!" To which Luc replied, "You know this statue?" Good laughs followed, and I felt like the most lucky fella in the world.

Rowdy Cod is now in Vancouver, looking out at the Pacific waters flowing into the Burred Inlet. Every time I look at him I think of Gord Pinsent, Ian Gillies, and the many many many other talented artists that give voice to our people and culture. And I feel like the most lucky fella in the world all over again.

Catch Ian's work here: https://iangillies.ca and, if you can, support local artists.”

Ian Gillies My latest work!

What an amazing day I had working in the Rendell family Forge all day yesterday Heritage Heart's Content Heart's Content Regional Centre for the Arts. I am very proud of the work I did with others, Heritage NL and the community to get this forge up and running. So happy to see they are maintaining it so well.  lots of events going on in the community today please stop by and support the great work they are doing. 

Love love love this, a crocheted version of me in my blacksmith gear including my Walter Surface Technologies beanie 🙂 Tiana Perry made this crocheted art of me as an artist lol Love it 🙂

Business and Arts Newfoundland and Labrador Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council



Does my logo or “Touch Mark” look familiar 🙂 No way someone can say I did not make it 🙂 I had the calf tattoo years before I had the Touch Mark made. I try to remember to put it on all my metal work 🙂

Drop by and check out my first wall hanging sculpture. 100% of the steel is from the hull of an old fish and ship. The the rust and the steel represents the deteriorated fishery, but the endurance of the hundred or more year old steel represents the endurance of the people 

My fish “Thank Cod” is made from the hull of an old fishing ship and represents the deteriorated fishery and the enduring people. The spike knives are made from old spikes from the Newfoundland Railway. And my Pitcher Plant is the Newfoundland provincial flower, this hardy flower thrives in our climate and the enduring steel makes this a perfect representation of us and our province. Pop down to The Artisan Loft The Artisan Loft on Water Street on the pedestrian mall and check it out. Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism Government of Newfoundland and Labrador City of St. John's

After six hours of hammering with yesterdays heat in the Forge and finishing work this picture plant and newfound land railway spike knife will be available today at The Artisan Loft on Water Street if you’re down enjoying the pedestrian mall stop in and take a look at all the great local art City of St. John's

Thank Cod could not have a better place to rest and be seen than The Artisan Loft on the pedestrian mall in the city of City of St. John's . Great supporters of local art. I plan to locate other works there soon. Please stop in and say hello and see all the great local art.

Looking for suggestions please 🙂

For the next month or most of the summer I am not able to promote my latest sculpture “Thank Cod” and wondering if anyone knows of a place I could display it and mark it FOR SALE where it will be seen by the public and maybe tourists? Maybe a hotel lobby, Restaurant or public tourist destination?

Thank Cod is made primarily of steel from the hull of a very old fishing ship. The rust and skeleton represents the deteriorated fishery but the enduring steel represents the people of the Newfoundland and Labrador and the fishery

Happy to have one of my pieces in the First Space Gallery, QEII Library, you should pop by and have a look at all the great works

Food fishery opens this Coming Saturday!!! And I am looking forward to our seasonal catch. The rust and skeleton of my latest sculpture represents the deterioration of the fishery but the enduring steel from the hull of an old fishing ship represents the enduring people of our province.

Walter Surface Technologies Business and Arts Newfoundland and Labrador Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council VOCM CBC Newfoundland and Labrador NTV News Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Newfoundland &

Can’t get much more Newfoundland than this picture 🙂 Anyone like a nice feed of crab?

My latest sculpture shape, skeleton and deteriorating rusty steel, from the hull of an old fishing ship, represents the deteriorating fishery but also the enduring people of and the fishery

Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council Walter Surface Technologies Business and Arts Newfoundland and Labrador Government of Newfoundland and Labrador DISCOVERING NEWFOUNDLAND - where to stay, eat, shop, explore and more Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism

Even foggy days in Newfoundland are nice days to sit out and enjoy the view and air :)