Mark is a Melbourne-based blacksmith and the founder of Forest Metalworks, working at the intersection of contemporary metalwork and Baltic cultural tradition. His practice centres on hand-forged steel forms inspired by sun crosses and ancestral symbols found throughout Lithuania and the wider Baltic region. Through metal, he explores ideas of protection, place, and continuity, translating ancient motifs into works that resonate in a modern context.

After meeting his Lithuanian wife in 2015, Mark moved to Lithuania, where he became immersed in Baltic culture and developed a deep respect for its visual language and symbolism. During this time, he specialised in the making of sun crosses, a distinctive form of Baltic folk art traditionally associated with spirituality, home, and the cycle of life. This period was formative in shaping both his technical approach and his conceptual grounding.

Upon returning to Melbourne, Mark established Forest Metalworks in 2020, continuing to refine his practice while working within a contemporary Australian context. His works are forged primarily in steel and iron, materials chosen for their durability and expressive potential. Each piece is shaped through a hands-on, physical process that emphasises craft, patience, and intention.

Mark’s works often reference specific places, myths, and histories, from Lithuanian fire deities to memorial forms and symbols of national identity. While rooted in tradition, his practice is not about replication, but reinterpretation, allowing cultural heritage to remain active, personal, and relevant. Through Forest Metalworks, his sculptural pieces are now held in private collections internationally, carrying Baltic heritage into new environments and everyday spaces.