Wrought Iron Art

In August of 1996, Oleg Shyshkin, an architect by profession, opened a creative studio in Toronto, Canada, for the design and artistic forging of wrought iron. In short order, it became one of the most renowned and sought-after in North America.Shyshkin had extensive experience as an architect, interior designer and artist in his homeland, Ukraine, where he had supervised restoration of the ancient part of the “Old City” in Kiev among many prestigious projects. Early in his career, Shyshkin had been fascinated by artistic blacksmithing, which he considered an intensely graphic form of art. He believed no other technique could transform lines into art as well as wrought iron.Shyshkin imported old European traditions of artistic forging to North America. Blending his love of French art nouveau and American art deco, he created a personal style that is unmistakably his own. His originality has intrigued clients, who rush to place new orders.Shyshkin has been commissioned to create pure art; sculptures and decorative pieces; as well as architectural elements, including gates, fences, facade parts and railings for both interior and exterior use. He has also been asked to make functional objects, such as lanterns, chandeliers, fireplace accessories and furniture.He creates the designs himself; from preliminary sketches to architectural working drawings; and does most of the fabrication as well. Every work is one of a kind, confirming Shyshkin’s originality. His finest projects include: -“Baku Palace”, Sheepshead Bay, New York, 2003; two dining rooms and main staircase. - Private residence, Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York, 2002; interior main staircase; exterior decorative fence, gates, balcony railing, decorative facade composition.Private residence, Hewlett, Long Island, New York, 2004; interior main staircase, library staircase, side staircase; exterior central lanterns, entrance gate, arbor, garden bridge and balcony railing. The balcony railing won a Gold Award in 2004 in the Ernest Wiemann Top Job Competition, an annual contest of the National Ornamental Miscellaneous Metals Association that recognizes outstanding designs by member fabricators.Shyshkin is a member of many artistic associations, including the Artist Blacksmiths Association of North America, the British Artist Blacksmiths Association and the National Ornamental and Miscellaneous Metal Association. He is an Intern member of the Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario.Although his business now has its headquarters in Oakville, Ontario, Shyshkin is receiving more and more orders from the United States. He has completed projects in California, New York, New Jersey and Illinois as well as throughout Ontario.  Photographs of Shyshkin’s work has been published in such magazines as Artist, the British Blacksmith Association magazine (Volume 26, Number 4, Spring 1999, and Autumn 2003, Number 106, back coverAnvils Ring, the publication of the Blacksmith Association of North America (Volume 32, Number 3, Spring 2004); and Fabricator, the official publication of the National Ornamental and Miscellaneous Association in the United States. Among many others, the published works include Gate “Kings Brook”, Gate “Magic Forest” and interior railing “Lady Bug”. Some of the works are three-dimensional sculptures that are made practical for use.As a sculptor and architect, Shyshkin has produced art works that highlight artistic individualism. His rare combination of architectural and artistic blacksmithing skills creates unusual results. Today the reputation of this studio is widely recognized. Masters such as Oleg Shyshkin bring prestige to the profession of artist-blacksmith. Once people have seen Oleg Shyshkin’s work, they look at metal in a new way.