Aug 16 (edited) • General discussion
Janet Leach - a Bold American influence on British Studio Pottery
Janet Darnell Leach was an American-born studio potter whose work left a significant mark on the post-war ceramics scene, particularly in Britain. Her interest in ceramics deepened after meeting Japanese potter Shoji Hamada at Black Mountain College in North Carolina. In 1954, she became the first foreign woman, and only the second Westerner, to study pottery in Japan under Hamada's mentorship.
Janet married Bernard Leach and moved with him to St Ives, Cornwall, where they operated the Leach Pottery. While she worked alongside Bernard, Janet developed her own distinctive style, characterised by bold, expressive forms and a preference for wood firing. Her work often incorporated gestural, poured glazes and markings, reflecting a deep appreciation for Japanese aesthetics and modern abstraction.
After Bernard's death in 1979, she continued to create and exhibit her work internationally until her death in 1997. A retrospective of her work was held at Tate St Ives in 2006-2007, underscoring her enduring influence in the world of ceramics.
Janet Leach's legacy endures through her innovative approach to pottery, blending traditional techniques with personal expression, and her contributions to the development of modern ceramics.
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Janet Leach - a Bold American influence on British Studio Pottery
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