Frank Carpay

Franciscus Hubertus Johannes Carpay (13 July 1917 – 12 September 1985) was a Netherlands-born New Zealand industrial designer. He is notable for his modernist approach to ceramics at Crown Lynn, New Zealand.

Early life Frank Carpay was born in Heusden, The Netherlands on 13 July 1917.

He trained at the Hertogenbosch Technical College in 's-Hertogenbosch, where he learned textile design, ceramics, metalwork and graphic art.

Entrepreneurship After World War II, Carpay joined to a small pottery company named Het Edele Ambacht, where he eventually became head of design. There, Picasso introduced Carpay to two other pottery decorators, Roger Capron and Roger Picault. This letter was passed to Tom Clark of Crown Lynn Potteries Ltd who was actively recruiting. His works were also occasionally risqué, one example being a prototype produced for Queen Elizabeth's 1954 Royal Tour depicting her in a sheer blouse with her nipples on display. Common motifs in his work included the dove of peace.

Carpay often signed his works with the cursive 'Handwerk' at the base of the object. In 2002, his work was exhibited at the Hawkes Bay Museum and the exhibition then toured around New Zealand. They displayed his textiles alongside his ceramics, highlighting his contributions to both industries. His works have now become highly collectable.

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