Fi Cooper

I observe things closely, and think deeply about the meanings behind them, why and how they came to be, how the actions of people and nature over time have affected landscape and objects to create what I see today.

I make my work to be handled and interacted with, for people to feel the texture of the clay, the form and its surface decoration.

My work is hand built in the main using techniques such as slabbing, pinching and coiling (occasionally I make thrown pieces too). It is work rooted in the land, in historic and ancient structures and objects created by humans. I choose colours drawn from the land, sky and sea in the glazes and patterns I use to decorate my work.

Fi Cooper is a ceramicist who came to making things from clay halfway through life. As well as working in administrative roles in both the arts and academia Fi has a degree in archaeology and has spent time working as a volunteer digger, she views the discovery of ancient pottery on these digs – particularly those with the thumbprint of a potter of old on them – as the seed of her love of the medium.

Fi began taking evening classes in ceramics seven years ago and has immersed herself in learning her craft ever since. She now works as a part time potter from her home studio in Oxfordshire. Fi’s ceramics are influenced by her abiding interest in archaeology, place and her love of landscape. She mainly uses hand building techniques to create her ceramics, preferring the slow mindful process of handbuilding to the speed of the wheel. Still early in her ceramics career Fi has exhibited during Oxfordshire Artweeks and in online events over the past two years.

Country: Private Address

Artist Category: General

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