Rupert Spira was born in London in 1960.  He studied at West Surrey College of Art and Design with Henry Hammond, and at Wenford Bridge Pottery with Michael Cardew.  Influenced by Bernard Leach, his early work is traditional and practical, consisting of plates, teapots and vases.  In 1996, he opened a studio at Church Farm in Shropshire.  His style became more modern and complex, and he began adding poetry to his vessels.  Poems written by himself or by British poet, Kathleen Raine are sometimes scratched into the clay.  Spira works mainly with a limited colour palette, but occasionally creates pieces in bright hues.  

Spira’s work can be viewed in many international public collections, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, The Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts in Norwich and the National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo.  He currently lives and works in Oxford.

Group Exhibitions

1. International Ceramics 28 February - 10 March 2023