Zackarya Leck 

A man working with a welding tool inside a wooden workshop, with outdoor scenery visible through the open side, including trees and blue sky.

I come from a lineage of makers—raised by a blacksmith father and a textile artist mother, where craft was both heritage and daily life. I began forging in my dad’s backyard shop, drawn to the immediacy of metal and the stories it holds. The forge became my ground—a space where ancient patterns, elemental forces, and human muscle meet.

I was born on Orcas Island and established my studio here in 2001. This work has been my livelihood for my whole life. I studied in England and apprenticed with master blacksmiths in both the UK and Israel, experiences that deepened my understanding of traditional techniques and global craft lineages.

A sculpture resembling a stylized flower, with a large, rounded base and a long, curved stem, stands on the floor in a rustic workshop with wooden and white paneled walls.
Man leaning on and inspecting a rusty, old metal object, possibly part of a sculpture or machinery, in an outdoor workshop or junkyard with various metal and industrial items in the background.

Whether I’m forging sculpture or building installations, I use reclaimed materials whenever possible—steel beams, salvaged wood, found components—each selected with care and intention. My practice is grounded in respect for the land, the materials, and the responsibility of making things that last.

A modern black triangular building with a round window, surrounded by green trees and plants, with a tall, curved metal sculpture nearby, under a clear blue sky.

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