Raymond Cox is a pioneer. His technical mastery is grounded in the tradition of the Pewtersmiths of his native Connecticut, where he began studies with Frances Felten in the early 1970's. He has molded and shaped that traditional knowledge into a very personal vocabulary of techniques, working methods and stylistic elements. A survey of the projects completed at his St. John's studio, Quidi Vidi Handwrought Pewter, shows Cox continually pushing beyond the bounds of the traditions he has inherited.

He still makes the vessels, flatware and jewellery for which he has become well known across Canada. However… anyone visiting the Health Sciences Complex or the Confederation Building in St. John's will realize that Cox has also taken the craft to a whole new level of personal expression. His landscape sculptures, created specifically for these two sites, have a power and scale seldom reached by others in his craft.

Cox is a driving force within the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador. He has served as its Chair, and as its representative on the Board of the Canadian Crafts Council. He has exhibited widely and is represented in many major collections, including The Massey Collection, National Museum of Civilization, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the City of St. John's. His work is featured in “For the Love of Pewter” (Douglas Shenstone, 1990), and in “The Craftsman's Way” (University of Toronto Press, 1981).

Cox's work is available at Quidi Vidi Handwrought Pewter, the Craft Council Shop at Devon House, and various locations throughout the province.

Image shown: pewter vessel This is a Story 15" x 16" x 5"