About the Artist
John Piper (1903-1991)
Piper was born in Epsom, Surrey, where between 1921-26 he studied law in his father’s office and wrote poetry. From 1926-28 he studied at Richmond College of Art under Raymond Croxton through whom he met Henry Moore. Piper went on to study at RCA. In 1933 he met Braque who encouraged him to experiment with collage. A year later he became a member of the ‘7&5 Society’ and in 1935 he collaborated with Myfanwy Evans of the magazine ‘Axis’.
Piper mixed with the avant-garde in England and Paris, but in the late 1930’s he abandoned abstract art for a romantic portrayal of building and places at a time when England’s architectural heritage was under threat. During the war he painted the after effects of the Baedeker raids as well as works based on Renishaw, the Sitwell family home.
Piper also worked in Stained Glass notable in Coventry Cathedral and elsewhere. His friendship with Benjamin Brittain led to his designs for the Opera.
