‘Japanese Connections’

Celebrating the Leach Pottery’s Japanese Links

ENTRANCE GALLERY: 25 March to 11 June 2017

The Leach Pottery invites you to a new exhibition showcasing the Leach Pottery’s Japanese connections. Featuring an eclectic range of styles, materials, and approaches to making pots. The following potters feature:

Shinsaku Hamada, the second son of Leach Pottery co-founder Shoji Hamada, visited the Leach Pottery in 1963. Shinsaku, who will be 88 on 16 March, continues to pot in Mashiko. Tomoo Hamada, Shinsaku’s son, first visited the Leach Pottery in 1995 and also works in Mashiko. All of their featured works have been brought over from Japan. We also present tableware pots made at the Hamada Pottery.

Shigeyoshi Ichino, from the Tamba region of Japan, worked at the Leach Pottery from 1969-73: Bernard and Janet Leach were introduced to Shigeyoshi’s father, Tanso, by Shoji Hamada in the early 1950’s. Janet Leach then went on to study under Tanso for two years. Shigeyoshi died in 2011 and the works for sale were made in Japan.

Koie Ryoji, from Tokaname, Japan, visited the Leach Pottery in 2010. He undertook a three week residency. He is described as the ‘human volcano’: one of the most dynamic and inventive ceramic artists working today. Koie spent some of his time on the kick wheel in the Museum and the works featured were fired in our old soda fired kilns - a first in this technique for Koie.

Kat Wheeler, one of our Production Potters, worked at the Hamada Pottery in Mashiko for 10 weeks in 2015. During this time, Kat developed her work by responding to Japanese making techniques which included the use of local clay and glazes. The pots featured were made by Kat during her time in Mashiko.

All works for sale, prices from £20 to £5000.