John Webb: 100 Pots

Leach Pottery Entrance Gallery: 30 April - 24 July 2022, all works for Sale

 Preview: 29 April 2022 6-8pm
Online: August 2022

“Some shapes just become you, like your handwriting - but you can always write new words with them.” John Webb, 2022.

Working as a potter since 1972, John celebrates over half a century’s involvement with clay in his first solo selling exhibition at the Leach Pottery.

The wood-fired salt-glazed pots comprise a wide array of wheel-thrown vessels, alongside tableware and slab pots. There are bowls, storage jars, teapots, jugs, yunomi, guinomi, bottles and flower vases - amongst other forms. In essence, pots to enjoy your food with and bring beauty to your home.

Each surface is unique: salt glaze is appealing and challenging to control, ranging from silky matts to ‘orange peel’, to surfaces with a liquid quality. The colours can be earthy, muted, and cobalt-blue surfaces with cool greys and blues to hotter ultramarines.

John’s formative experience as a potter was gained in the early 1970s as part of the kiln firing crew at Michael Cardew’s Wenford Bridge Pottery - a time that still informs his practice today. Cardew trained at the Leach Pottery in the early 1920s, then pursued an approach more rooted in English slipware: similarly, John produced earthenware pots for much of his career before switching to salt-fired stoneware when he began working on his own in 2013.

Largely self-taught, John began potting in Fowey alongside Judith Martelli, followed by a stint in North Wales with wood-fired stoneware before settling in Lostwithiel making domestic earthenware with Martelli.

John’s pots are to be enjoyed, they embody the qualities and beauty of the traditional country pottery that John so admires, ultimately bringing the warmth and intimacy of hand-made pots into our lives.

 Entrance Gallery: Preview Sales Policy

To support the spirit of the Preview, no sales/reservations can be made prior to the event. Works can be purchased from 6pm onwards by guests in attendance who are prioritised for the first hour – these works can be taken from the gallery.

Those unable to attend the Preview are welcomed to register their interest in works in advance. From 7pm, we will begin to allocate/reserve/sell works to those of you unable to join us on the night.

Please contact matthew@leachpottery.com to register your interest/make enquiries.