With a first degree in Precision Engineering from Brown Boveri Technical College in Switzerland and a Masters qualification in Jewellery and Design from Zurich School of Art and Design, Hans joined the RCA in September 2006 from the University of the Arts, London (Camberwell College of Arts) where he served as Subject Leader in Silversmithing and Metalwork and 3D Design. Hans also works as the External Examiner for Jewellery/Applied Arts at Middlesex University and as Associate Lecturer for the MA in Applied Arts at the Sandberg Institute in Amsterdam.
As a teacher and as a practitioner Stofer's focus reflects his dual training and accreditation in Precision Engineering and Jewellery and Design and he has a special interest in the application of high and low tech materials and manufacturing methods to creative design. His work is exhibited and collected extensively both nationally and internationally, and he has an exceptionally high research profile.
A selection of recent exhibitions includes Collect 06, V&A, London, represented by Galerie SO; Koru2 at the South Karelia Art Museum in Lappeenranta, Finland (2006); Breakers at PM Museum, London (2006); Kruege at Galerie Handwerk, Munich (2005); The Nomad Room at the Dundacao Centro Cultural de Belem, Lisbon (2005); Maker Wearer Viewer Macintosh Gallery, Glasgow (2005); and Ceremony at the Pump House Gallery, London (2005).
Hans Stofer's work has been acquired by various international collections including the V&A, the Crafts Council, the Munich Danner Stiftung, the Schweizerisches Landesmuseum, Zurich along with others across Britain and Europe, and he has been awarded numerous prizes including the Zurich Applied Arts Award (1987), the Swiss Applied Arts Prize (1987/1989/1994), the Herbert Hoffman Prize for Jewellery (1995). In 2005 Hans was short listed for the Jerwood Prize for Metal.
During the past two years Hans has also been researching and writing a book, Wire Jewellery, which was published in July 2006 by A&C Black in Britain and Haupt Verlag in Switzerland. His latest book, Design Wilderness, has been published by Galerie SO Publishing.