Hans Coper

Born 1920 – Died 1981

Born in Germany, Coper fled to Britain in 1939, where he was interned as an ‘enemy alien’ and posted on military service to Canada. Returning to London in 1946, he found work as studio assistant to Austrian potter and fellow émigré Lucie Rie, making tableware and ceramic buttons. Coper soon began producing solo work, and set up his own studio in 1959, becoming known for his distinctive sculptural style and limited earthy palette. His striking vessels were typically made by joining together several wheel-thrown elements, before applying layers of slips and glazes that were scratched and sanded to build texture.