Sunday, June 27, 2004

A potter’s legacy
Shona Adhikari

POTTERY, has always been important to me — whether it’s the kind that one finds at every street corner in India, or the creations of serious art potters. These are the people who are closest to Mother Earth, creating beauty and utility out of natural resources.

One of the known British potters of today, is John Leach, for whom "A handmade pot is like a friend with its own personality." The eldest grandson of the legendary British potter Bernard Leach, he continues the tradition set by his grandfather, but adds his own stamp to his creations. His interesting vases and pots are unique in the sense that they are all meant for use and not just displayed as decorative items.

Born in the family home "Pottery Cottage" at St Ives, in 1939, John Leach is the son of David Leach. Born into a family of potters, it was but natural that he should have a natural inclination to the family trade. However, despite growing up in this highly creative atmosphere, he formally joined the family business as an apprentice for five years, to learn his craft. He followed this up, training with other well-known potters of the time, Ray Finch and Colin Pearson.

In 1965, this third-generation potter decided to continue the family tradition in his own way and set up his own pottery, in the tranquility of the ancient village of Muchelney, in the heart of Somerset. Another Master Potter, Nick Rees, and he have been working together, hand-throwing and wood-firing stoneware pots based on the simple strength of English country pottery.

The repeat classic range of Muchelney kitchen pots includes more than 50 designs of everyday tableware.

John Leach’s original designs, notably his ‘Black Pots’, are in museums, galleries and private collections worldwide. At the in-house Pottery Shop, managed by Lizzie Leach, besides the wide range of Muchelney kitchen pots, you can also find a selection of original pots by John Leach and Nick Rees.

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