AN Italian plant physiologist and geneticist has turned to the art of blacksmithing in the Adelaide Hills, after universities across the country struggled to keep research programs running in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Raised in northern Italy, just outside Milan in Melzo, Matteo Riboni came to Australia in 2016 after his wife, also a scientist, received a fellowship to undertake a PhD in wheat and barley crop floral development at the University of Adelaide.
But Matteo had his own to path follow upon their arrival in Adelaide and, after studying the impacts of drought on plants and crops, he found himself also working at the University of Adelaide and CSIRO.
"I worked mostly on rice and wheat crops. A lot of the research was looking into salinity stress and nutrient deficiencies such as phosphorus," he said.
"At the CSIRO I was working on black cow pea and a project founded by Melinda and Bill Gates that looked at ways to improve crop cultivation, particularly in African countries."
Matteo said it involved hybrid breeding by taking two pure lines of a crop and crossing them to make a seed that is more resistant and can be used for up to 15 years.
"It was about lessening dependence on seed companies," he said.
After funding for his research "dried up" following the COVID-19 outbreak, the loss of international students and trade tensions with China, Matteo was let go by the university, but he found solace in his home workshop playing with fire and making art.
"I have always liked to do things with my hands, build and modify things," he said.
"My mind relaxes and I get immersed in the skill."
Matteo's natural talent and interest in the ancient art that dates back to Egypt in 1350BC, was realised when he was just 15 years old.
"My grandfather was a metal fabricator/blacksmith in Italy and he taught me how to weld," he said.
He has also joined The Artist Blacksmiths Association South Australia at Penfield to help provide support and further training for newcomers to the art.
BENDING METAL IGNITES PASSION
AFFECTIONATELY known as "firebender" among friends, a blacksmith has taken a chance meeting at an SA medieval fair and turned it into a new career path.
Matteo Riboni first attended the Gumerache Medieval Fair in 2018 and watched local blacksmiths show off their craft.
"A friend pointed out that there was an Artist Blacksmiths Association South Australia stand, so I went over to have a chat," he said.
"They were offering blacksmith courses to gain the skill, so I signed up."
Straight of the bat, Matteo said it felt natural and somewhat easy to get a handle on the ancient art.
"I have understood how to move metal with heat for a while and as a researcher, I have a keen eye for detail too," he said.
"Being a researcher, I also used my prediction skills to understand the process of blacksmithing too."
Matteo visits the club at Penfield every Saturday and any other moment he has free to master the skill.
Through the course, Matteo met a blacksmith who offered him some casual work.
"I worked for him for about a year in the Adelaide Hills," he said.
"He let me take my time and enjoy getting more confident - it gave me the time to really understand the skill."
After about 11 months, the work dried up a bit and Matteo took a position at Pulteney Grammar School as a laboratory technician and has recently been promoted to lab manager.
Matteo will launch his business MR Iron Works in the coming weeks.
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