At a glance
Two refugee potters reshape British modernism through 200 works that move from delicate, luminous porcelain bowls to rugged, architectural stone sculptures.
Meet the artist
Why go
This is the first joint survey in three decades, featuring over 200 works mostly drawn from private collections. It captures the transition from their collaborative early years to the distinct, independent styles that defined mid-century ceramics.
You'll see
Early Viennese ceramics · Collaborative domestic wares · Thin-walled footed vessels · Abstract sculptural forms · Late experimental glazes
Pace of visit
The display spans four rooms across three floors, requiring a slower pace to appreciate the subtle textures and variations in glaze.
Don't miss
Compare Rie’s poised God Pot with Coper’s Cycladic forms to see how they each modernised ancient vessel shapes.
Artlovers Tip
Observe the silhouettes from a distance to see how Rie’s vessels appear to float while Coper’s feel architectural. Note that large bags aren't allowed inside and must be left at the entrance.
Inside the exhibition
Lucie Rie / Hans Coper: Life at the Wheel at Offer Waterman in London presents a comprehensive look at two pioneers of modern British ceramics. Housed in a former William Morris & Co. showroom in Mayfair, the exhibition follows the creative partnership of two refugees who fled Nazi-occupied Europe to redefine the possibilities of the potter's wheel.
The selection spans Rie’s early 1920s output in Vienna to the final pieces she created in 1990, alongside Coper’s evolution from studio assistant to a master of severe, multi-part sculptural vessels. Visitors can trace their trajectory through collaborative domestic ware, Rie’s signature sgraffito bowls, and Coper’s increasingly abstract forms that evoke ancient archaeology and human silhouettes.
By focusing on pieces rarely seen outside private homes, the gallery provides a deep look at the technical innovation of the potter's wheel. It highlights the tension between Rie’s pursuit of light, colorful precision and Coper’s preference for heavy, monochromatic structures, showing how they elevated functional vessels into the realm of sculpture.
Worth travelling for?
An essential stop for visitors interested in the intersection of modern sculpture and craft, offering a rare look at the private side of British studio pottery.
Experience as an Artlover
Entry is free and no booking is required. The gallery is open Tuesday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00 and Saturdays until 17:00, though visitors should note that the building lacks full wheelchair access across its three exhibition floors.
Lucie Rie / Hans Coper: Life at the Wheel
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