CHEWTON couple Bendict Leckie and Thea O'Brien are opening their studio for the Castlemaine State Festival.
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The pair specialise in steelwork with Mr Leckie's smithy skills set to be on show.
"Heating steel and working it under the hammer is probably my favourite thing in the world," he said.
"I grew up in Maldon and there was a working blacksmith there when I was two or three.
"I remember seeing it with my father. It seemed totally magical that something could be soft and cheesy under heat but sets hard."
Ms O'Brien is an artist as well as an amateur steelworker.
"I started painting a couple of years ago but previously did metal work and an art sculptural welding course," she said.
"I learnt the four types of welding and had no idea I would love it so much.
"Ben always has metal lying around the place so I work with recycled pieces and like putting things together."
During the Castlemaine State Festival, Mr Leckie and Ms O'Brien will feature Mr Leckie's hand made chef knives, Ms O'Brien's digitally create collages and a sculpture the couple have created together.
Mr Leckie's chef knives are something he takes very seriously.
"Knives, for me, are a tool for cooking or camping," he said.
"The escalation of violence that is around at the moment is pretty scary. I hate the idea that a blade I've made not being used for the purpose it was designed for. I don't know that is something I could live with."
The couple's exhibition will be at the home in Chewton, which is an old Welsh independent chapel.
"We are extremely excited because we are part of the main program," Ms O'Brien said. "Last time we were part of the Castlemaine Fringe Festival and just starting off.
"We didn’t want to come in at that (higher) level, we felt like emerging artists. Now we are in the official program, we are expecting a much bigger crowd."
Benedict Leckie and Thea O'Brien's open studio at 185 Main Road, Chewton, will be open daily between 11am and 4pm during the Castlemaine State Festival.