Tianye An

My practice is metal forging. Through this process, I’ve come to see that time isn’t only in the final object — it’s in every moment of making. Forging brings uncertainty, resistance, and constant change. I heat, wait, pause, and rethink. Each action — cutting, shaping, annealing — becomes a movement through time, a trace of thought. I focus on overlooked steps, exploring details and sensations. I try to hear the voices of metal — felt, heard, imagined. Writing runs alongside my work. I use it to respond to the process, letting words grow from the forge.