Tucked away and up the hill from the town of St. Ives, you'll find The Leach Pottery, founded in 1920 by Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada. The museum, gallery and studio space celebrate the life and work of Leach as well as showcasing the work of UK and international contemporary potters.
By this to me a miracle, I was carried away to a new world. Enthralled, I was on the spot seized with the desire to take up the craft.
In 1911, Bernard Leach attended a Raku party, where he became enchanted with the process of firing. Leach went on to learn the techniques of firing methods, throwing and brushwork decoration.
In 1916, he met Japanese potter Shoji Hamada at an exhibition and in 1920, Leach and Hamada moved to Cornwall to set up their new pottery enterprise in the outskirts of St. Ives. In the following years Leach refined his practice; combining elements of Chinese, Japanese and Korean pottery, alongside traditional European techniques such as slipware and salt glaze.
We explored the softly-lit workshop, delighting in finding examples of Leach's work amongst the potter's wheels and drying racks, soft and worn through decades of use. Against a backdrop of roughly plastered walls, pieces of pottery advance from the shadows. Old tools were laid out along a work bench in front of a window, as if just set down. The workshop houses the traditional Japanese climbing kiln or 'noborigama', built in 1923 and the first of it's kind in the West.
It was wonderful to roam freely around the studio, taking in the soft colours and textures; to be immersed in this creative space. We were able to peek into the new studio workshop too, home to the current team of skilled Leach potters who produce the new Leach Standard Ware, while developing their own practice.
Huge thanks to The Leach Pottery, who gifted us admission to the museum, gallery and studio. As always, views expressed are entirely my own and I would thoroughly recommend visiting this beautiful space.
GIVEAWAY
The Leach Pottery have generously offered Weald readers the chance to win a pair of beautiful Leach Standard Ware mugs. To win, follow the instructions below. The giveaway is open worldwide and closes on 17th August 2015 when a winner will be chosen at random. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
INFO
The Leach Pottery website
Opening hours, admission prices and location
Dolomite would be lovely thank you!
ReplyDeleteDolomite-lovely colour
ReplyDeletedolomite please
ReplyDeleteDolomite please
ReplyDeleteI love the white Dolomite mug - Fantastic #competition :-) Would love to win!
ReplyDeleteI love the Celadon colour; so reminiscent of the mossy green of Cornish cliffs.
ReplyDeleteI think I would go for Dolomite, very beautiful and serene colour x
ReplyDeleteTenmoku please
ReplyDeleteCeladon
ReplyDeleteWe went to the pottery when we were in St Ives earlier in the year, it is fabulous isn't it. I love the celadon! xx
ReplyDeleteDolomite please
ReplyDeleteDolomite would be fantastic.
ReplyDeleteCeladon pls xx
ReplyDeletedolomite please
ReplyDeleteTenmoku olease
ReplyDeletetenmoku - i have a collection of john leach pots so this would be just fab!
ReplyDeleteDolomite Its such a lovely colour
ReplyDeleteCeladon please.
ReplyDeleteTenmoku
ReplyDeleteId choose the Tenmoku
ReplyDeleteI love the Celadon... a lovely subtle green.
ReplyDeleteI can't pick between Tenmoku or Dolomite!
ReplyDeleteTenmoku
ReplyDeleteCeladon
ReplyDeleteOh wow! All have touches of vintage and sophistication. I guess Tenmoku would be my bet for this one.
ReplyDeleteTenmoku, but it was a tough call. I love this style of crockery, I am trying to get an eclectic collection going.
ReplyDeleteDelomite please
ReplyDeleteCeladon please
ReplyDeleteThey're all very lovely, but Dolomite is my favorite! :)
ReplyDeleteTenmoku is my favorite. :)
ReplyDeleteTenmoku is so pretty!
ReplyDeletetenmoku definitely its a great shade for a mug.
ReplyDeleteTenmoku please
ReplyDeleteI would go with the Dolemite.
ReplyDeleteI would love them all but I would chose Tenmoku as my first choice!
ReplyDeleteI would choose the Celadon
ReplyDeleteTenmoku looks wonderful
ReplyDeleteI would choose the Dolomite
ReplyDeleteI would choose the celadon.
ReplyDeleteI would choose the Dolomite
ReplyDeleteDolomite is beautiful, I'll choose it
ReplyDeleteDolomite is what I would choose.
ReplyDeleteDolomite for sure!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteDolomite <3
ReplyDeleteCeladon is gorgeous
ReplyDeleteI would choose celadon.
ReplyDeleteDolomite please
ReplyDeleteCeladon please :) They are all lovely.
ReplyDeletelove Tenmoku
ReplyDeleteDolomite please :)
ReplyDeleteDolomite please
ReplyDeleteDolomite thanks
ReplyDeleteTrevor Linvell
Celadon
ReplyDeleteDolomite
ReplyDeleteTenmoku
ReplyDeleteCeladon please
ReplyDeleteDolomite
ReplyDeleteI would like Celadon. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteTenmoku, it's a nice sounding name.
ReplyDeleteDolomite please
ReplyDelete@polly58
all 3 colours are beautiful, but my favourite is Tenmoku
ReplyDeleteCeladon is my favourite :)
ReplyDeleteI would love the dolomite x
ReplyDeleteThey are lovely, Tenmoku please
ReplyDeleteTenmoku is great!
ReplyDeleteTenmoku
ReplyDeleteThanks
I like the Celadon
ReplyDeleteTenmoku please :)
ReplyDeleteTenmoku ❤
ReplyDelete