16 Facts About Bernard Leach

Bernard Leach is regarded as the "Father of British studio pottery".

Bernard Leach spent his first three years in Japan with his father, Andrew Leach, until he moved back to Hong Kong in 1890.

Bernard Leach received a kiln from Kenzan and built it up in Yanagi's garden and called it Tomon-gama.

Bernard Leach returned to England in 1920 on the invitation of Frances Horne.

Bernard Leach promoted pottery as a combination of Western and Eastern arts and philosophies.

Bernard Leach's work focused on traditional Korean, Japanese and Chinese pottery, in combination with traditional techniques from England and Germany, such as slipware and salt glaze ware.

Bernard Leach's pottery produced a range of "standard ware" handmade pottery for the general public.

Bernard Leach continued to produce pots which were exhibited as works of art.

Bernard Leach was a major influence on New Zealand potter Len Castle who travelled to London to spend time working with him in the mid-1950s.

Bernard Leach was instrumental, with Muriel Rose, in organising the only International Conference of Potters and Weavers in July 1952 at Dartington Hall, where he had been working and teaching.

Bernard Leach continued to produce work until 1972 and never ended his passion for travelling.

Bernard Leach continued to write about ceramics even after losing his eyesight.

The Bernard Leach Pottery remains in operation, accompanied by a museum displaying many pieces by Bernard Leach and his students.

Bernard Leach has said that to move on, he had to address Leach directly.

De Waal's book, the first critical monograph on Bernard Leach, was published in 1998.

Bernard Leach did learn to speak the language to a conversational standard, however; recordings of this are held by the Mingei Film Archive and the Crafts Study Centre, Farnham.