Lucie Rie had an extraordinary life. She fled from her hometown of Vienna to escape the Nazis. A fiercely independent and strong-willed woman, Rie was better suited for London, where she quickly assimilated among the world filled with architects, authors and artists. Her work was viewed as contemporary and her pots took place within a “modern lifestyle”. It was an important friendship with Hans Cooper that elevated both their works to another level. Hiring Hans Cooper in 1946 as a then inexperienced ceramicist who was brought in to “fire buttons”, the two remained friends until Cooper’s death in 1981.
A tough lady indeed, Rie is quoted as saying to students at Camberwell College, “I like to make pots – but I do not like to talk about them. I would answer your questions today but they would be wrong tomorrow.” (The Guardian) With her bowl and bottle forms still on display at the MoMA, it’s a foregone conclusion that Lucie Rie’s work will stand the test of time!
Lucie Rie in front of a collection of her pots, which were so much ahead of their times. She’s often considered the “pioneer of British studio pottery”.
Image courtesy of: Mountain Pottery
“Bowl” circa1987, thrown stoneware; Abercarn Collection on long-term loan to MoMA
Image courtesy of: TATE
Another example of one of Lucie Rie’s beautiful bowls.
Image courtesy of: Tail of Wood
A photo of Rie’s workshop as left untouched, exhibited at the Albert and Victoria Museum in London.
Image courtesy of: Wikipedia, photograhed by: Andreas Praefcke
Lucie Rie’s “Potato Pot”, circa 1970. Stoneware, mottled grey glaze with iron speckle and turquoise blush, golden bronze glaze running from the rim and impressed by the LR seal.
Image courtesy of: Maak London