Bernard LeachWorld famous potter Bernard Leach moved to StIves in the 1930's and came to be regarded as "the Father of British Studio Pottery" endeavouring to form "a co-operative team of artist-craftsmen with a commonly felt sense of what is right... work which flows from the whole man, from the heart as well as from the head and hands." Bernard Leach, C.H., C.B.E., was born in Hong Kong in 1887. After returning to England in 1897 to continue his schooling he then went on to study at the Slade School of Art in London. He later moved to Japan and learnt his pottery craft under the Sixth Kenzan. On his return from Japan in the 1920's with the help of Shoji Hamada, he started his pottery in St. Ives, to which students from all over the world have since come to work and learn their craft. He first met the Bahá'í Faith through the American artist Mark Tobey during his stay at Dartington Hall between 1932 and 1934. After leaving Dartington for the East, Bernard examined all that he had learnt from his friend Mark Tobey and felt compelled to declare his acceptance of the Bahá'í Faith. The teachings of Bahá'u'lláh had a profound effect on Bernard not only on his personal life, but also his understanding of the nature of art as an outward expression of the spiritual core of a person. In later years Bernard corresponded with Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum, the widow of Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith. The photograph to the left shows Amatul Baha consulting Bernard prior to undertaking a visit to Japan. (photograph courtesy of Dermod Knox) Bernard Leach's work revolutionised pottery, helping it gain acceptance as a true art form; he later went on to receive the highest recognition for his work, both in this country and in Japan. Bernard influenced many artists with his synthesis of East and West, a theme of great importance to him that ran through all aspects of his life. In 1953 he wrote, " I don't know if I have justified my existence as a potter. I think I had a small genuine gift and a strange calling in a great cause - the meeting of East and West. But I have come, during the last year, to see that the meeting in art and craft is only a fragment of a far greater vision - Bahá'u'lláh's, of the unity and maturity of Mankind..." Beyond East and West was Bernard's last book and provided a fascinating overview of his philosophy - a good starting point for anyone wishing to know more. Also of note is Rob Weinberg's Spinning the Clay Into Stars vhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Spinning-Clay-Stars-Bernard-Leach/dp/0853984409 this contains more information on Bernard's adherence to the Bahai teachings. The Leach Pottery has now been completely restored and can be visited in StIves http://www.leachpottery.com/ Location of Bernard Leach's resting place : Longstone Cemetry , about two miles outside StIves at Longstone Hill, Carbis Bay, St Ives,Cornwall,TR26 2SX Enter the graveyard and you will come to a roundabout - if you enter the roundabout at 6 o'clock then 2 o'clock will point toward Bernard Leach's resting place in the upper portion of the cemetery. Another method of locating the grave is to find the two large pine trees just off the roundabout - if you stand between them and face uphill, then the very furthest slate gravestones at the top of the slope are those of Bernard and his devoted secretary Gertrude (Trudi Scott). Please see accompanying photographs. |