Bernard Leach (British, 1887 - 1976)
Original Pen and Ink Drawing on Handmade Paper
Design for Studio Pottery
St Ives Guild of Handicrafts, Cornwall, UK
Provenance:
Private Collection United Kingdom
[with] Contemporary Art Management

Bernard Howell Leach CH, CBE, was a British studio potter and art teacher. He is regarded as the "Father of British studio pottery".

In 1920 Frances Horne was establishing a Guild of Handicrafts within the existing artist colony of St Ives in Cornwall. On the recommendation of a family friend, Edgar Skinner, she contacted Leach to suggest that he become the potter within this group. Leach and his wife Muriel were accompanied by the young Hamada Shoji and, having identified a suitable site next to the Stennack river on the outskirts of St Ives, the two established the Leach Pottery in 1920. They constructed a traditional Japanese climbing kiln or 'Noborigama (登り窯)', the first built in the West. The kiln was poorly built and was reconstructed in 1923 by Matsubayashi Tsurunosuke (1894 - 1932).

Leach promoted pottery as a combination of Western and Eastern arts and philosophies. His work focused on traditional Korean, Japanese and Chinese pottery, in combination with traditional techniques from England and Germany, such as slipware and salt glaze ware. He saw pottery as a combination of art, philosophy, design and craft – even as a greater lifestyle. A Potter's Book (1940) defined Leach's craft philosophy and techniques; it went through many editions and was his breakthrough to recognition.
 
The Victoria and Albert Museum in London held a major exhibition of his art in 1977. The Leach Pottery still remains open today, accompanied by a museum displaying many pieces by Leach and his students.
 
Fine Art Viewings and Global Shipping by arrangement.

For more information or to reserve this work of art email contact@artsales.online