Bernard Leach - A Potter's World (Extract)

Bernard Leach is, without a doubt, the best known and most prominent of British studio potters.
Born in Hong Kong, he was taken almost immediately to Japan by his grandparents.
He came to England at the age of ten for schooling.
In 1909 he returned to Japan to teach etching which he had himself learnt from Frank Brangwyn.
After ten years of life in the East - both Japan and China - he met Hamada.
The following year they both came to England and set up the Leach Pottery at St Ives.
The years between the wars were hard for Leach; he spent much time re-building kilns, experimenting with materials, travelling - but not achieving much critical or financial success.
It was not until after the Second World War, and the publication of his first book, A Potters' Book, that he became widely recognised as a master in his field.
He continued to pot until 1972, but did not stop his ceaseless travelling.
The Victoria and Albert Museum in London held an exhibition - The Art of Bernard Leach - in 1977, and in 1979 he died.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Short
• Film
• Potters
• Wheel
• Pottery
• Ceramics
• Clay
• Throwing
• Bernard
• Leach

[sleachpots]

Hey so good to see BL at work ....this is a really good contribution to potters worldwide ...thank you ,thank you ..SL

[sloth1982]

Thanks for posting this. I hope to see more

[swedish1muffin]

This is truely awesome.

[bayareaartist999]

I think Hans Coper is up there and might surpass him as to originality. 

[TravelerWhereof]

@Lisanab No its a speed-eye technique. I practice martial arts, and practice using my eyes by focusing fast object and reacting goodly. His eyes are scanning the fast movements of the clay, to see if there is one line out of place. Its a crazy technique!!

[cleanasmud]

SL- Bernard is a complete freak - in the most complimentary way!

I have watched this clip over and over- his hands are beautiful and completely clean ?!

something I aspire to ;) :)You are also an inspiration, so thankyou ;) and keep potting!

[ursulaheppworth]

what a fantastic opportunity to see Leach creating,wonderful thankyou,,,Ursula

[Lisanab]

ou are right! Simon shares the tick! Many potters tick, they just aren't captured on video

[lantarla]

I believe it is "Ase's death", from Edvard Grieg's Peer Gynt suites.

[lindsaypurple]

what is the music in this video?

[PaisleyPlace]

lewee: I was thinking that exact same thing. It must be hereditary or something. :)

It really was a beautiful pot. I hope it is put away somewhere safe, perhaps in the Leach Museum.