IronNotes presents STRIKE, a curated travelling exhibition exploring the potential of iron and blacksmithing in contemporary crafts and object-making.
Iron continues to shape how we build, make, move, and think. But what does this most common element — widely used in utilitarian objects and industrial production, yet also culturally significant — have to offer to the world of art? In total, over 100 artists from around the world showcase more than 300 pieces exploring their interpretations of iron and blacksmithing.
STRIKE will have a Grand Tour. We start from Tallinn, where IronNotes* program will hold their last conference. From Estonia we will move to the Coda museum in the Netherlands. Then continue to Germany, where we take part in the Munich Jewellery Week / Schmuck. The fourth exhibition will be set up in Finland at Riihisaari museum in Savonlinna and like young intellectuals in the past, we will finish in Italy, where blacksmiths from all over the world gather in Stia to celebrate hot iron.
The travelling exhibition is adapted to the scale and character of each venue. While most venues will present the exhibition in its full scope, two locations (CODA and Riihisaari museums) will feature a curated selection of works tailored to the available exhibition space.
The STRIKE! exhibition is open November 4–8, from 14:00 to 19:00
Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA)
EKA Valge maja, Kotzebue 10, Tallinn, Estonia
Friday 6th November 19:00 Opening of the STRIKE Exhibition, warmly welcome!
Important dates:
| 1 September: | Deadline for submitting PDF applications |
| 21 September: | Applicants will be notified of the selection results |
| 23 October: | Arrival of selected artworks |
| 4–8 November: | Exhibition open to the public |
| 6 November: | Exhibition opening ceremony |
| 5–7 November: | IronNotes Symposium |
Where does it travel?
The exhibition will debut during the *IronNotes Symposium in Tallinn, Estonia, from 4-8 November 2026, after which it will tour to several locations across Europe until 2027.
What kind of work were we looking for?
We were looking for STRIKING works that explored the materiality of iron, with an emphasis on experimental approaches and strong artistic concepts. Proposed works could take various forms, including sculpture, objects, and wearables.
STRIKE is:
A hit, a beat
To initiate, act, shape, create
A decisive blow, a turning point, a game changer, a breakthrough
A spark, inspiration, feeling, conflict
In the context of iron and forging, STRIKE encourages us to consider:
What is it that you are trying to strike—what is the core or essence?
What is it that you stand for or rise against?
What do you wish to spark?
What do you wish to strike?
Why are we doing this?
In a rapidly changing society, traditional crafts such as blacksmithing are challenged to reflect, adapt, and redefine their roles. IronNotes* aims to initiate and stimulate this process of development and visibility.
We fight for the right to forge: to reclaim the intelligence of the hand, to give making equal standing with thinking, and to unite a diverse community bound by a passion for iron.
STRIKE Open Call – Past Information and Guidelines
The open call for the STRIKE travelling exhibition has now closed. The information below is archived and is no longer current.
What is the exhibition about?
Iron continues to shape how we build, make, move, and think. But what does this most common element — widely used in utilitarian objects and industrial production, yet also culturally significant — have to offer to the world of art? Why has ironworking shifted from the hands of blacksmiths to highly standardised production — and is there a way back, or a way forward?
The open call seeks works that engage with the numerous possibilities and strengths of using iron in contemporary craft, blacksmithing, and jewellery. This approach allows us to reflect the full diversity of our communities and to include a wide range of makers, from blacksmiths and artists to students working with iron in various forms.
Who are we looking for?
We invite makers: jewellery artists, blacksmiths, casters, sculptors, fabricators, designers, researchers, students, and educators to explore the potential of iron beyond its functional uses and those who are seeking to uncover its cultural meanings.
The curatorial board will select a group of pieces that together form a cohesive exhibition within the given theme. For this reason, we ask that all submitted pieces be available for display during the full exhibition period 23 October 2026 until December 2027.
The applicants will be notified about the selection by 21 September.
The total maximum weight of the work is 50 kg. Maximum packed size: 1100 × 700 × 600 mm.
Participation is free of charge.
The artist is responsible for shipping the artworks to Tallinn, while *Iron Notes is responsible for returning the artworks to the artist.
Application requirements:
Each applicant may submit one artwork, which may consist of multiple items, and was created in 2024 or present.
The application should be one PDF file of max 5 MB, including the following information:
- Photos of the artwork
- Title of the artwork, type, year, materials, technique (optional), dimensions and short concept of the artwork (max 500 characters)
- Short artist BIO (max 500 characters)
- Artist´s name and country of origin/residence
- Application deadline: 1 September 2026