Ashraf Hanna Egyptian, b. 1967
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Ashraf Hanna’s work focuses on form, surface, and the subtle relationship between volume and space. Working primarily in hand-built ceramics, he creates vessels that are both sculptural and functional, often influenced by the shapes and structures found in ancient Egyptian pottery and modernist design. His pieces are defined by clean lines, precise curves, and a quiet confidence.
Hanna’s approach is thoughtful and measured. He pays close attention to proportion and surface texture, allowing the form itself to carry meaning. His use of colour is restrained but deliberate—muted tones, soft matt finishes, and the occasional deeper hue give his work a sense of calm and clarity. There’s no need for ornament or excess; each piece stands on its own, offering a quiet kind of elegance shaped by skill, patience, and a deep respect for material.
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Works
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Large black undulating vessel with triangular base£ 3,400.00 -
Cut & Altered Grey Vessel with Yellow InteriorSold
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Small Cut and Altered Chartreuse Bowl£ 450.00
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Large Undulating Yellow and Black Bowl£ 2,750.00
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Cut & Altered Black VesselSold
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Small Mulberry BowlSold
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Cut & Altered Black Vessel with Chartreuse InteriorSold
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Cut & Altered with Black Bowl with Yellow InteriorSold
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Deep Purple VesselSold
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Rich Pink Small VesselSold
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Small Black vesselSold
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Small Chartreuse BowlSold
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Cut & Altered with yellow interiorSold
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Small Chartreuse Bowl (commission)Sold
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Grey cut and altered vessel with chartreuse interior£ 900.00
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Ivory cut and altered pinch pot with dark sage interiorSold
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Ivory cut and altered vessel with rich pink interiorSold
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Video
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Biography
Ashraf Hanna is an Egyptian born British artist, currently resident and working from his studio in Pembrokeshire, West Wales.
Ashraf’s first interaction with pottery forms came when he observed still life compositions at El Mina College of Fine Art in Egypt. Hours spent in the drawing studios closely observing shapes lines and spaces between various objects lead to developing an awareness of and an interest in group dynamics.
This interest was reawakened when Ashraf met his future wife, sculptor Sue Hanna, and she introduced him to ‘making’ with clay. After several years of successfully creating raku and smoke-fired work, Ashraf embarked on a MA course in Ceramics and Glass at the Royal College of Art in London which allowed him time to develop new ideas.
Ashraf’s subsequent body of work consisted of a series of hand-built forms, creating groups and individual vessels, with each object informing the next. The profiles, lines and spaces emerging from the process of development, their ultimate placement in relation to one another, and the juxtaposition of sharp lines and softer curves. These forms have become his major interest and serve to emphasize the sculptural aspects of his work.
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FAQs
Ashraf Hanna is an Egyptian-born British artist living and working in Pembrokeshire, Wales. He is widely known for his hand-built ceramic and glass vessels, which focus on exploring form, line, and space. His work often balances simple, flowing shapes with a strong sense of structure, creating pieces that are both elegant and quietly powerful. Hanna’s ceramics and glass forms are shaped by a deep interest in the relationship between objects and their surrounding space, resulting in artworks that invite careful viewing and reflection. His approach is both sculptural and precise.
Ashraf Hanna began his studies at El Minia College of Fine Arts in Egypt, where he built a strong foundation in the visual arts. After moving to the UK, he pursued a BA in Theatre Design at Central Saint Martins in London, developing a deep understanding of form, space, and structure. His growing interest in three-dimensional work led him to study ceramics and glass, and he completed an MA in Ceramics and Glass at the Royal College of Art in London in 2011. This formal training continues to shape his distinctive approach today.
Ashraf Hanna works mainly with ceramics and glass, focusing on creating refined, hand-built forms. His ceramic pieces often begin as simple pinch pots, which he gradually builds up using soft slabs of clay to create more complex shapes. At the leather-hard stage, he carefully refines the surfaces and contours, paying close attention to balance and proportion. He then applies coloured terra sigillata slips, which give his work a smooth, luminous finish. Each piece is fired several times, allowing Hanna to build up subtle layers of colour and texture that enhance the final form.
Ashraf Hanna has received several awards recognising his skill and contribution to the applied arts. In 2010, he was named Welsh Artist of the Year in the Applied Arts category, a major recognition of his growing reputation. His work has continued to attract attention for its precision, elegance, and quiet strength. Awards like these reflect the respect he has earned within both the ceramics and wider contemporary art communities. Hanna’s careful exploration of form, surface, and space has made his work highly regarded among collectors, curators, and fellow artists alike.
Yes, Ashraf Hanna is open to commissions, and Contemporary Six can help with this process. Hanna approaches commissioned work with the same care and precision that define his ceramics and glass vessels, focusing on form, balance, and surface quality. Each commission is an extension of his interest in refined shapes and subtle textures, often resulting in unique works that reflect both the artist’s vision and the client’s input.
Ashraf Hanna moved to London in the late 1980s to further his education and develop his career in art and design. The move allowed him to study at Central Saint Martins, where he focused on theatre design before later shifting his attention to ceramics and glass. Living in London exposed him to a wide range of artistic influences and opportunities, helping him to refine his creative voice. His time in the city laid the groundwork for the sculptural approach and careful attention to form that would later define his work.
