Bernard Leach (St Ives Artists series) [Illustrated] [Paperback]

I thought it was interesting to see the transition in Leach's work as he moved from Japan to St. Ives England. I like how Leach tried to gain local character in his work after moving to England. This is something that is important to the Japanese and their tradition of local potteries. Leach's ability to adapt to his environment while making pots made him successful as an artist. This book clearly shows the distinct adaptions Leach made to suit his clients needs without loosing his artistic touch.

I especially enjoyed the last chapter of this book. In my opinion it is an excellent summary of Leach's life and his accomplishments. I really like where the author talks about "Leach Style" and how people categorize it as "muddy colors, unarticulated forms, indeterminate orientel-ish burshwork and a certain modesty of ambition." I agree with the the author that Leach was more diverse than that. From 1920 and in to the 1960's he did everything from "drawing, engraving, etching, painting, slip-decorating, combed decoration into clay, sgraffitio, fluting and so on." In my opinion Leach is the father of modern day studio ceramics. This book is inspirational for anyone pursing the field of functional ceramics. I would recommend this book to anyone studying or enquiring of Bernard Leach.

At least De Waal's book offers another view than that usually propogated by the 'Leach School of Thought'. I would say that it was quite an objective one, in contrast to the review by that reader from Sussex, England. Don't be fooled, unless you are a die-hard follower with a Leach altar in the corner of your studio, this is certainly a valuable book on Leach's lifes work. In contrast to that other review, I would also say that De Waal's book is not all critical. It takes you through Leach's various stages in life fairly objectively. Actually De Waal could have been much more critical (if not scathing) of some of Leach's idiosyncrasies.

His book lacks any sympathy, courage, or honesty. It bears no relation to the pottery world that Leach was promoting, instead his book seems to be nothing more than a catalogue of the latest fashions in the present domestic ceramic world. He has no taste, and his trite, simplistic pieces of moulded clay insult the great artistic legacy that Leach had initiated. But for Bernard Leach and Shoji Hamada, for instance, the method of "feathering" designs on slipware pottery would have been lost for another hundred plus years..

Do not waste your money on the De Waal book, instead, buy the book [by Sara Hogben] on The Art of Bernard Leach, which can be found via the net. A far superior book.