# Frank Roper (artist)

Frank Roper MBE (12 December 1914 – 3 December 2000) was a British sculptor and stained-glass artist who undertook commissions for churches and cathedrals across Wales and England.
In addition to religious commissions, Roper created a wide variety of sculptures which were sold privately and to corporate bodies. His non-religious sculpture included animals and birds, as well as animated sculptures and musical fountains.

## Biography

Frank Roper was born 12 December 1914 in Haworth, Yorkshire. He studied at Keighley Art School (meeting his future wife, Nora Ellison) and the Royal College of Art, London, where he was a student of Henry Moore. In 1947 he became a sculpture lecturer at Cardiff College of Art, later vice principal until 1964. He retired from the college in 1973 "to be free to play my own games". He lived in Penarth and created his own foundry on the ground floor of his house where he made his metal sculptures. Roper has been credited with inventing the lost-polystyrene casting process.
Many of Roper's early commissions stemmed from the need to repair places of worship after they had suffered bomb damage during World War II. He went on to become one of the most prolific of all post-War artists undertaking church commissions. His major commissions included work for Llandaff Cathedral, Durham Cathedral, St David's Cathedral in Pembrokeshire and Peterborough Cathedral. He created a wall-mounted "Stations of the Cross" (1959) for St Martin's in Roath, Cardiff, "Crucifixion with Mary and John" (1965) outside St German's Church, Adamsdown, Cardiff and an aluminium reredos screen (1968) for St Martin le Grand, York. Roper also created engraved and stained glass, for example at St Peter's Church, Chippenham.
Two BBC television programmes were made about Roper, one in 1964 ("Mind into Metal – Frank Roper, Sculptor") and the other in 1976 ("Look, Stranger: Sculpture and Singing Fountains", in which Roper was interviewed by René Cutforth). Roper's non-religious sculpture includes cast aluminium figures of birds and animals, some of which were animated; and fountains that produced musical sounds using the principle of the water organ.
Two of Roper's works are in the collection of National Museum Wales: St Michael and the Devil and Horse.
Roper was awarded the MBE in 1991 for his services to art.
He died at the end of 2000. In 2014 an exhibition marking the centenary year of his birth was held at the Travellers Gallery, Barry. A memorial service at Llandaff Cathedral was held on the centenary date, 12 December 2014. The "Frank Roper Centre" opened in February 2019 at the Church of the Resurrection in Ely, Cardiff; a permanent exhibition of Roper's life and works.

## Lost-polystyrene casting in aluminium

Roper was one of the first sculptors to adopt the lost-polystyrene method, almost always casting in aluminium, perfecting the technique in 1964. It is now used widely in manufacturing (known as lost-foam casting).
Over his career Roper worked in wood, stone and bronze, but many of his ecclesiastical commissions, as well as his musical fountains and water clocks, were cast in aluminium. He became interested in aluminium in the 1950s; the Stations of the Cross for St Martin's in Roath, Cardiff, completed in 1959, were an early example of his religious art in the metal.
His work for Christ Church in Roath (1964) may have been his first commission using the lost-polystyrene method, a casting process recognisable by the texture of the metal, as the pitted nature of the expanded polystyrene remains visible.
Modelling in expanded polystyrene allowed Roper to work on a larger scale. It is light and strong, enabling complicated structures to be built. The lower cost of aluminium, compared to bronze for example, made it possible to use sculpture where normally there would not be sufficient money available. Having his own home foundry also kept costs down and allowed for a very direct relationship with the finished work – "conception, creation and casting became one continuous process" he told the Church Times in 1994.
In the 1976 BBC documentary Look Stranger, Roper explains that he would sculpt from a solid block of expanded polystyrene using a hot wire, soldering irons, home-made whittlers and sand-paper:
"I like to use polystyrene. This is the most direct means of casting. One can enjoy the modelling and realise that the casting is very little effort. Once I've got the thing in polystyrene it's almost finished. The polystyrene is sunk into sand. I use dry sand from one of the beaches down here. You pour metal on top, then the polystyrene vaporises, the metal fills the space where the polystyrene was and you're left with an aluminium casting... if the casting fails I've lost the model."
Roper is credited with inventing the process although other artists were developing this technique at the same time, including the sculptor Geoffrey Clarke, working in East Anglia. The Canadian sculptor Armand Vaillancourt as well as Alfred M Duca, a sculptor and research associate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, are also noted to have been the first to cast in this way.

## Stained and etched glass

Roper has stained glass or etched windows in over twenty churches in Wales and England. His wife Nora, an artist in her own right, influenced the colours as well as the symbolism depicted in the designs, for example with the 'flower calendar' window in St Michael's Church, Michaelston-le-Pit and Christ in Majesty, a window in St Illtyd's Church, Llantwit Fardre.
His approach to stained-glass windows was unique, combining cast aluminium forms with coloured antique glass and knapped chunks of float glass. These were bonded together in various formations and set into window openings creating a relief form of stained glass.
The cast aluminium incorporated within the designs often added further depth and dimension. "That's the important thing about them", Roper notes in the documentary Look Stranger, "they are primarily sculpture, so at night when there's no light coming in from outside we have an interesting relief." An example can be seen in Virgin and Child, a window in St Augustine's in Rumney, Cardiff; Peter Leech in The Religious Art of Frank Roper describes the "literally outstanding" metal "delineat[ing] the figure emerging from a profundity of deep blue glass".
The sculptural nature of his stained glass can also be seen in his windows depicting the Stations of the Cross at the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace, Newcastle Emlyn, with Leech observing "the sombre metal silhouetted against the lambent glass". Another set of Stations of the Cross can be found in St Peter's Church in Chippenham: small intensely coloured, built-in stained glass panels set within aluminium tracery.
Roper's window depicting the Resurrection in St Mary's, Talbenny, Pembrokeshire, one of three in that church, is an example of his use of small chunks of knapped glass fixed to the surface in order to catch and disperse light.
Perhaps his most notable examples of etched glass are at St Peter's Church in Chippenham, including the large St Peter's Window occupying an entire wall and featuring three predominant images of St Peter as well as images linked to St Peter's story. He and Nora were commissioned to provide a comprehensive scheme, which also included sculpture, a screen and stained-glass windows.

## Ecclesiastical works
### England

| Church/cathedral | Location | County or unitary authority | Category | Description | Date |
| St. Brendan's Sixth Form College chapel | Brislington | Bristol | Glass | Stations of the Cross etchings on glass | Unknown |
| St Bernadette's Church | Whitchurch | Bristol | Sculpture | Suspended crucifix | 1982 |
| Peterborough Cathedral | Peterborough | Cambridgeshire | Sculpture | Crucifix (suspended above main altar) | 1974 |
| Durham Cathedral | Durham | County Durham | Lettering | Panel of lettering for the tomb of St Bede | 1970 |
| Stoke Christian Centre | Stoke, Plymouth | Devon | Glass | A long frieze window depicting the Creation (the centre was originally called Stoke Methodist Church) | Unknown |
| All Saints Church | Branston | Lincolnshire | Sculpture | Reredos, originally installed in Grimsby Minster; restored and moved to All Saints in 2018. | 1972 |
| St Thomas' Church | Brompton | North Yorkshire | Sculpture | Reredos of the Last Supper in aluminium, collaboration with George Pace | 1965 |
| St Martin-le-Grand Church | York | North Yorkshire | Sculpture | Gilt aluminium reredos of the Last Supper | 1968 |
| Wells Cathedral | Wells | Somerset | Sculpture | Set of Nativity and Epiphany figures in aluminium | 1978-9 |
| St Leonard & St Jude | Scawsby, Doncaster | South Yorkshire | Sculpture | | Unknown |
| Chapel of Our Lady of Rotherham Bridge | Rotherham | South Yorkshire | Sculpture | Sculpture of Our Lady in aluminium | Unknown |
| St Mary's | Hunslet, Leeds | West Yorkshire | Glass & Sculpture | A variety of pieces and schemes. | |
| All Hallows' Church | Hyde Park, Leeds | West Yorkshire | Furnishings | Three light fittings with lettering, in aluminium | Unknown |
| All Hallows' Church | Hyde Park, Leeds | West Yorkshire | Glass | Stained-glass east window of the Risen Christ | Unknown |
| St Peter's Church | Chippenham | Wiltshire | Glass | Comprehensive architectural glass scheme in collaboration with his wife, Nora | 1968 |
| St John's | Parks, Swindon | Wiltshire | Sculpture | | |

### Wales

| Church/cathedral | Location | County or unitary authority | Category | Description | Date |
| St Crallo's Church | Coychurch | Bridgend | Glass | Etched glass west windows | c. 1963 |
| Church of St Mary Magdalen | Kenfig | Bridgend | Glass | Stained glass in nave's south window | Unknown |
| Church of St James | Pyle | Bridgend | Sculpture | Aluminium figure of Christ reigning from the Cross | Unknown |
| St Martin's Church | Caerphilly | Caerphilly | Glass | St Francis window | 1973 |
| St Ilan's Church | Eglwysilan | Caerphilly | Glass | Window in south nave, Saint John | 1961 |
| Church of St Catwg | Gelligaer | Caerphilly | Glass | Stained glass in nave's north window | Unknown |
| St Andrew's Church | Penyrheol | Caerphilly | Sculpture | Sculpture of Christ suspended over the high altar | Unknown |
| St German's Church | Adamsdown | Cardiff | Sculpture | Wrought iron Crucifixion with Mary and John in the church forecourt | 1965 |
| St John the Baptist Church | Cardiff city centre | Cardiff | Sculpture | Crucifixion with the Virgin Mary and St John in the Lady Chapel | 1969 |
| Church of the Resurrection | Ely | Cardiff | Furnishings | Illuminated cross above the high altar and in the memorial chapel a screen and two sets of candlesticks | Unknown |
| Church of the Resurrection | Ely | Cardiff | Sculpture | Aluminium crucifix in a memorial chapel | Unknown |
| St Peter's Church | Fairwater | Cardiff | Sculpture | Vine Christ, sculpture in aluminium | 1962 |
| St Dyfrig & St Samson | Grangetown | Cardiff | Sculpture | Aluminium crucifix in the churchyard | Unknown |
| St Denys Church | Lisvane | Cardiff | Sculpture | Stone Memorial Cross in the churchyard | 1964 |
| St Denys Church | Lisvane | Cardiff | Furnishings | Two candlesticks and bookrest in aluminium, seat and inbuilt credence table and marble altar (Roper design) | 1979 |
| St Denys Church | Lisvane | Cardiff | Sculpture | Reredos in gilded aluminium - Christ figure with four Passion-nail shaped candle-holders | 1979 |
| Howell's School | Llandaff | Cardiff | Sculpture | Exterior: Statue of Our Lady in a niche | Unknown |
| Llandaff Cathedral | Llandaff | Cardiff | Sculpture | Twelve gilded bronze panels of Welsh flowers mounted on the medieval reredos of the Lady Chapel | 1964 |
| Llandaff Cathedral | Llandaff | Cardiff | Sculpture | Six bronze plaques commemorating Saint Teilo | 1973 |
| Llandaff Cathedral | Llandaff | Cardiff | Lettering | George Pace memorial - gilt bronze lettering (South Choir Aisle) | 1978 |
| Llandaff Cathedral | Llandaff | Cardiff | Sculpture | Bronze sculpture in the Lady Chapel of St Francis preaching to the birds | 1991 |
| Llandaff Cathedral | Llandaff | Cardiff | Lettering | Panel of lettering in the Welch Regimental Chapel - aluminium | Unknown |
| Chapel of St Michael's College | Llandaff | Cardiff | Sculpture | Winged figure of St Michael with a sword, standing over the devil - exterior of the west wall | Unknown |
| St Faith's Church | Llanishen | Cardiff | Furnishings | Two tall candlestick in aluminium | Unknown |
| St Faith's Church | Llanishen | Cardiff | Sculpture | Crucifix in aluminium fixed to interior glass | Unknown |
| Christ Church | Roath Park | Cardiff | Sculpture | Aluminium Crucifix in the church forecourt, 1.2 metres high | 1964 |
| Christ Church | Roath Park | Cardiff | Lettering | Lettering in aluminium: 'Christ Church Parish Church', outside wall of the Lady Chapel (1997) | 1997 |
| Christ Church | Roath Park | Cardiff | Furnishings | Multiple furnishings, mostly in aluminium. Inside: High altar (concrete), support for missal stand, two candlesticks (1964); Lady Chapel altar (concrete), support for missal stand (1964); Processional cross; Altar canopy with inlaid lights; Pulpit balustrade and reading lamp; Small coat of arms; Supports for credence table and flower pot shelf; Confessional desk with frame; Sacristy bell (1998); Font and font cover (1964); Font ewer (tall jug with lid) (1964); Two hymn number stands (1964 and 1994); Two churchwarden wands (1986); Sacristy room: crucifix (bronze with copper escutcheon) and Holy Water scoop (1998) Outside: Memorial garden bronze plaque (1997); Church notice board; Creation plaque, with four sections | 1964-1998 |
| Christ Church | Roath Park | Cardiff | Sculpture | Sanctuary Crucifix in bronze, placed above the pulpit (height 1.22m) | Early 1980s |
| Christ Church | Roath Park | Cardiff | Sculpture | Figure depicting Christ in Majesty inset in temple-style frame, aluminium | Unknown |
| St Martin's Church | Roath | Cardiff | Sculpture | Aluminium, Stations of the Cross | 1959 |
| St Martin's Church | Roath | Cardiff | Sculpture | Wood carving of St Martin and the Beggar | 1956/7 |
| St Martin's Church | Roath | Cardiff | Furnishings | Two aluminium candlesticks positioned either side of a Roper crucifix (east wall of north aisle) | Unknown |
| St Martin's Church | Roath | Cardiff | Lettering | 'I am the living bread'': Reredos consisting of lettering mounted on wall, east wall of the chancel | Unknown |
| St Martin's Church | Roath | Cardiff | Sculpture | Aluminium crucifix with two pieces placed either side suggesting thorns and berries (east wall of north aisle) | Unknown |
| St Augustine's Church | Rumney | Cardiff | Glass | Representation of Virgin and Child, internal glass panel | 1969 |
| St Saviour's Church | Splott | Cardiff | Glass | Two windows in the north aisle | 1964 |
| St Saviour's Church | Splott | Cardiff | Sculpture | Aluminium, Stations of the Cross | 1964 |
| St Michael and All Angels | Tongwynlais | Cardiff | Glass | Stained glass - east window | Unknown |
| Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace | Newcastle Emlyn | Carmarthenshire | Glass | Architectural stained glass windows depicting the Stations of the Cross (north, south and east walls of the nave) | 1971-73 |
| Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace | Newcastle Emlyn | Carmarthenshire | Glass | 'The Resurrection' - stained glass window in the entrance hall | 1973 |
| Priory Church of St Mary | Abergavenny | Monmouthshire | Sculpture | Crucifix | Unknown |
| Church of St Mary | Margam | Neath Port Talbot | Sculpture | Aluminium hanging rood | Unknown |
| The Church of St Thomas | Neath | Neath Port Talbot | Glass | Stained glass window depicting the martyrdom of St Thomas Becket | 1971 |
| St David's Church | Neath | Neath Port Talbot | Glass | Two stained glass windows of musical angels | 1981 |
| The Church of St Peter and St Paul | Neath | Neath Port Talbot | Furnishings | Mother's Union banner in aluminium, featuring four flowers associated with the Virgin Mary with their Welsh names | Unknown |
| Holy Trinity Church | Christchurch | Newport | Furnishings | Candlestick and crucifix in aluminium | Unknown |
| St Bride's Roman Catholic Church | Saundersfoot | Pembrokeshire | Sculpture | Crucifix on the roof | Unknown |
| St Davids Cathedral | St Davids | Pembrokeshire | Furnishings | Lady chapel screen | 1973 |
| St Mary's Church | Talbenny | Pembrokeshire | Glass | Windows depicting the Resurrection, St David and St Bride | Unknown |
| St Mary's Church | Talbenny | Pembrokeshire | Sculpture | Virgin and child - figure in aluminium | 1970s |
| St Issui's Church | Partrishow | Powys | Sculpture | Figure of Saint Issui in aluminium | 1995 |
| Church of St Illtyd | Llantwit Fardre | Rhondda Cynon Taf | Glass | Christ in Majesty stained glass window | 1974 |
| Church of St Matthew | Trallwn, Pontypridd | Rhondda Cynon Taf | Sculpture | Christ with the Twelve Apostles metal reredos | dedicated 1962 |
| Christ Church | Ynysybwl | Rhondda Cynon Taf | Glass | Christ surrounded by a crown of thorns stained glass east window | Unknown |
| St Peter's Church | Blaenavon | Torfaen | Glass | Stained glass windows | Unknown |
| All Saints Church | Barry | Vale of Glamorgan | Glass | Sanctuary window Supper at Emmaus | c. 1971 |
| St Tydfil's Church | Llysworney | Vale of Glamorgan | Glass | Christ as King and as Good Shepherd semi-abstract stained glass with thickenings | 1972 |
| Church of St Michael and All Angels | Michaelston-le-Pit | Vale of Glamorgan | Glass | Windows of seasons in flowers in the Chancel | c. 1986 |
| All Saints | Penarth | Vale of Glamorgan | Glass | Two-light window with standing figures of St Clare and St Francis, set in a landscape with flowers. Crucifixion above and texts below in separate panels | 1987 |
| St Augustine's | Penarth | Vale of Glamorgan | Furnishings | Pulpit rail, depicting flowers, lettering and an open bible | Unknown |
| St Augustine's | Penarth | Vale of Glamorgan | Sculpture | Sculpture of St Augustine in aluminium | Unknown |
| Church of St Mary | Penmark | Vale of Glamorgan | Sculpture | Bronze figure of the Virgin Mary | Unknown |
| St John the Baptist | Sully | Vale of Glamorgan | Glass | Stained glass window | Unknown |
| Church of St Mary | Wenvoe | Vale of Glamorgan | Glass | Stained glass window above the doors to the tower, depicting the Virgin and Child framed in a Jesse tree | 1981 |