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 St Ives pottery, with the help of his friend Shoji Hamada, in 1920.

Having trained in Japan under the master potter Kenzan, Bernard Leach brought to the pottery a heady mixture of idealism, aesthetics and a radical workshop concept resulting in a continuing struggle for survival.

In the Cube...

HAMADA'S ST IVES: The Founding of the Leach Pottery
On till end March 2010

We look through the eyes of Hamada Shoji, the pottery's
co-founder, at the very early days of the pottery, the work that he, Leach & their colleagues produced & at the town of St Ives then - already an artists' colony but with an eye to the new world of tourism

JANET LEACH: Her Life & Work
April 3rd to July 3rd 2010

A retrospective on the life & work of Janet Leach curated by her long term friend & assistant Joanna Wason

Further Information and Opening Times...

The Leach Pottery,
Higher Stennack,
St. Ives,
Cornwall  TR26 2HE

01736 799703
www.leachpottery.com

David Leach (1911-2005)

It was Bernard's elder son David who gave stability to the pottery by introducing a range of hand-thrown standard ware. He also engaged students and apprentices who helped to produce the range. Amongst them was John, Bernard's eldest grandson who was an apprentice from 1960-1963.

David and his brother Michael both worked with their father until 1955 when they left to set up their own potteries in Devon.
 

The Leach Pottery

The Leach Pottery re-opened in March 2008 following major restoration and is set to become once again an international centre for the study, creation and exhibition of pottery.

The redevelopment of the site has restored the pottery cottage and the old pottery, both Grade II listed buildings. The pottery now produces work on site and a gallery and shop hold regular exhibitions of leading regional, national and international potters.