Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

John Axel Prip, a Danish-trained silversmith and longtime Rhode Island School of Design professor whose ability to mix traditional craftsmanship and with new ideas and influences made him a major force in 20th-century design, died Wednesday at age 86.

1990 photo by Davidson Holster

The son and grandson of silvesrmiths, "Jack" Prip was born in Yonkers, N.Y. but raised in Denmark, where his father owned a silversmithing factory. Though his early training left little room for self-expression, Prip began to experiment with new styles and techniques after returning to the United States in 1948. That new-found creativity eventually found expression in a wide and often whimsical variety of forms -- bowls decorated with playful abstract patterns, pitchers that zigged and zagged like Cubist paintings and tea sets that looked like a fleet of miniature space ships.

In addition to his metalsmithing skills, Prip was also a respected teacher and mentor. In the 1940s and 50s, he taught at the School for American Craftsmen in Alfred, N.Y., the Rochester Institute of Technology (where he also co-founded the influential craft gallery Shop One) and the Museum School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. He joined the RISD faculty in 1960, retiring two decades later. Prip also served as "Designer/Craftsman in Residence" at Reed and Barton, the Taunton, Mass. tableware company that still produces some of his designs.

Prip is survived by his second wife, Judy Skoogfors Prip, and two children from his first marriage -- Peter, 61, of Cranston, and Janet, 59, of Jamestown. Both are accomplished metalsmiths. A public service for Prip will be held on Saturday, June 6 at 2 p.m. in the Woods-Gerry House, 62 Prospect St. in Providence.

 Tags  Cranston RI Jamestown RI Rhode Island School of Design

Comments

Ronald F Hebert said:

Jack you will be extremely missed by Lorraine and I. You were very inspirational in my life, I wish that our meeting each other would have occurred many years before. You and Judy will be remembered forever in my life and prayers.
God Bless and keep You

Ron & Lorraine Hebert

Link | April 22, 2009 5:10 PM
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Clayton M said:

I've only met Jack a few times we (my mother and i) stayed with him when i was young for a little while and i remember he was incredibly nice the memorial was wonderful and was a wonderful celebration of his life. I know he is having a wonderful time instructing the metal works in the sky. RIP Jack.

Link | June 7, 2009 7:34 PM
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