Rachel Reckitt: Blacksmith artist’s work celebrated at exhibition

The work of a pioneering modernist artist is being celebrated at a new exhibition.

Rachel Reckitt (1908-1995), who was one of the country’s “few women artist blacksmiths”, lived and worked in west Somerset for 60 years.

Some of her creations are now being displayed at The Museum of Somerset until 15 March.

“The body of work she created was vast and she was tirelessly creative, we hope that some of her works will come to light through this exhibition, maybe if they are stashed in an attic somewhere,” said Sarah Cox, exhibitions and programme manager.

As well as her paintings, Ms Reckitt is also known for her sculptures, wood engravings and iron works.

In 1939, she moved from Somerset to London to support the war effort, helping to evacuate families from the city and sending children to her family home.

During her travels, she painted and engraved scenes of bomb-damaged London.

She also bred and sold cattle, and was well-known in the farming community.

“Reckitt was a woman who, in many ways, rejected the conventions of her time, gender and class.

“Her lifelong-artistic endeavour, inspired by her astute observations of people and places, spans avant-garde painting, sculpture, wood engraving and blacksmithing,” Ms Cox said.

Ms Reckitt’s niece, Dame Penelope Lively also has a successful career in the literary world, winning the Booker Prize in 1987.

She said: “We are delighted that this comprehensive exhibition will bring my aunt’s work to a larger audience.

“She was a central figure in my life, and I watched and marvelled at her versatility, up to and beyond her recreation of herself in later years as one of the few women artist blacksmiths.”