Hand Builder & Sculptor : Raphael Njoko

Early on, Raphael learnt that life was tough.His father left the family when he was very young and his mother took domestic work to support her four children. Raphael left school after grade six and earned a living working in factories and later as a taxi conductor.His recreation and his passion, however, was sculpting which he started on when he was eight years old.

In 1999, at the age of 25, Raphael was introduced to the Ardmore Ceramic Studio and Fèe Halsted-Berning by his brother-in-law, Nhlanhla Nsundwane, one of Ardmore 's most talented sculptors.Raphael soon found a niche for himself working alongside Fèe.

Raphael's diligence and discipline as well as his fastidious attention to detail and originality have resulted in a steady output of his naïve animal teapots and palmtree candlesticks, which sell 'hot out the kiln'.At Christie's auction in London in January 2004, bidding for these charming but simple pieces, was highly competitive.At the end of the auction, the tally earned by Raphael far exceeded that of any other of Ardmore's artists.