Biography
Ashraf Hanna (b. El Minia, Egypt 1967) studied access studies in expressive art at El Minia College of Fine Arts (1986-89) and theatre design at Central Saint Martins College of Arts and Design, London (1991-94). Hanna began working in clay in 1997 and set up his own studio in Hackney, East London the following year. In 1999 he became a professional member of the Craft Potters Association, and a fellow in 2002. He moved to Pembrokeshire, Wales where he has his current studio. He gained a postgraduate degree in ceramics and glass from the Royal College of Art, London in 2011 which expanded his practice from hand-built pottery, with Terra Sigillata slips, to kiln-cast glass design. He has received many awards, notably the Major Creative Wales Award (2013) and First Prize (Best in Show) at the British Glass Biennale (2015). His works, individual pieces or a series of objects interacting together, are in public collections across the UK, Europe and USA. Over twenty years he has held several solo exhibitions including at Mercer Art Gallery, Harrogate (2001); Beaux Arts Gallery, Bath (2007, 2009, 2014 & 2022); Contemporary Ceramics Centre, London (2003, 2011, 2017 & 2021); Le Don Du Fel Gallery, France (2012); Galerie Ligne Trieze, Geneva, Switzerland (2019); Maud and Mabel, London (2021); and Lemon Street Gallery, Truro (2022).