Bernard Leach, 1887-1979. Widely considered the most important and influential artist-potter of the 20th century, Bernard Leach pioneered the revival of the English studio pottery movement, setting up the the Leach Pottery in St.Ives, with the help of his friend Shoji Hamada, in 1920. The Leach Pottery is considered by many to be the birthplace of British studio pottery.
Having trained in Japan under the master potter Kenzan, Bernard brought to the pottery a heady mixture of idealism, aesthetics and a radical workshop concept. Over 60 years the pottery has had many apprentices, including Michael Cardew, Katherine Pleydell-Bouverie, Norah Braden, Kenneth Quick, William Marshall…to name a few.
Bernard Leach was a major figure in the arts and crafts. His work can be found in most museums and private collections throughout the world.
Public Collections include:
American Museum of Ceramic Art, Pomona, USA
British Museum, London, UK
York Museums Trust, York, UK
Shaman Art Museum, Matsue, Japan
Tottori Prefectural Museum, Tottori, Japan
Art Research Center, Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, Japan
Mashiko Sankokan Museum, Tochigi, Japan
Museum of Modern Art, New York, USA
Lisa Sainsbury Ceramic Collection, Sainsbury Centre, UEA, Norwich, UK
National Museum of Wales, Cardiff, Wales
Barnsley Museum, Barnsley, UK
Ohara Museum of Art, Kurashiki, Japan
Holburne Museum and Crafts Study Centre, Bath, UK
The University of Wales, Aberystwyth, UK
The Wingfield Digby Collection, UK
Paisley Museum and Art Galleries, Renfrewshire Council, UK
Leicester City Museums, UK
Buckingham County Museum, UK
Japanese Folk Crafts Museum, Tokyo, Japan
Swindon Museum and Art Gallery, UK
Blackwell Arts & Crafts House, Lakelands Arts, Cumbria, UK