What do you do on a very cold Wednesday in early January? How about a peep inside the workshops of pioneering English potters?



The talk began by focusing on William De Morgan and his work inspired by his close friend William Morris. Morris famously coined the phrase “have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful”. Why not have both? our passionate potters treat us to domestic articles that have been elevated to works of art.
The screen images our speaker, Julian Richards, presented to us were those of tiles, vases and vessels of all kinds decorated with the highest skill and imagination. He talked us through the techniques that were being used and the background story of each of our artists.

So, we learned of the life and work of De Morgan, moving on to the short but dramatic production from the Wright Brothers.
It was a walk through the lives inside the studios of these talented potters. There were always struggles with finances and the technology – the kilns were difficult and expensive to get exactly right.
We went from the overheated workshops in London to a light filled studio in St.Ives with Leach’s traditional Japanese climbing kiln.


Bernard Leach was inspired by his early years in Japan and is considered to be the father of Studio Pottery that we enjoy today.

Julian Richards, our speaker, examining a pot bought in by one of our guests
As a potoholic myself I am surrounded by affordable pieces of studio pottery found in charity shops and antique markets. It was a treat to be brought into the company of these significant figures who have elevated English ceramics to an artistic and technical level comparable to some of the best from around the world.

We welcomed in the New Year with a little lunch time party with drinks and nibbles. We also welcome our new members to TASHL and look forward to our exciting new programme of events and outings this year.
If you are interested in collecting pots and pieces why not take a summer time trip to Oxford for “Celebrating Ceramics” at Waterperry House and Gardens.
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