Bernard Leach : life and work

by Emmanuel Cooper

Widely recognized as the father of studio pottery, Bernard Leach (1887-1979) played a pioneering role in creating an identity for artist potters in Britain and around the world. Born in the East (Hong Kong) and educated in the West (England), throughout his life Leach perceived himself as a courier between the disparate cultures. His exquisite pots reflect the inspiration he drew from East and West as well as his response to the basic tenets of modernism - truth to materials, the importance of function to form, and simplicity of decoration." "Emmanuel Cooper draws on a wealth of previously unpublished documents and the recollections of the artist's family, friends and students to tell Leach's story. Cooper explores Leach's working methods, the themes of his pottery, his writings and philosophy, his recognition in Japan and Britain, and his continuing legacy, bringing into sharp focus a complex man who captured in his work as a potter the 'still centre' that often eluded him in his tumultuous personal life.

488 pages, Hardcover

First published July 11, 2003

Reviews

[Andrea Brantomio · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book while informative is rather weak in describing what made Bernard Leach such an important figure in pottery.
His ideas seems to come out from a void and not properly traced.
The passage from a struggling potter to a revered artist is unclear.
The focus is more on the actual biography than on his role as an artist.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and interesting book about a very flawed potter. Ended up feeling a lot of sympathy for his wives and children!!!