Jeff Shapiro was born in the Bronx, New York in 1949. He presently works and lives in upstate NY with his wife Hinako. He studied ceramic arts while living in Japan for 9 years from 1973-1981. His work has been exhibited internationally and can be found in numerous Museum collections including: The Carlo Zauli Museum, Faenza, Italy; The Massachusetts Museum of Fine Art, Boston MA; The Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NY; The Everson Museum, Syracuse, NY and The Fuller Museum, Brockton, MA.

Jeff's approach to making is one of constant challenge, not wanting a process to ever control his approach to discovery and interpretation. He has very close connection to the cultural references that inform his work from his time in Japan. This has developed a very real appreciation of the imperfections in nature that deserve attention and the status of beauty. Known for his Anagama wood firings, Jeff also fires work in his Gas / Wood Kogama Kiln and uses an electric kiln for high-fire ware and experimental slips and glazing works.

His work, as a result, has a wonderful balance of maker's intent and nature's voracious unpredictability.