How did Bernard Leach’s ideas travel from a small pottery in St Ives to influence generations of potters around the world?
In the final episode of our three-part series, we follow Leach as his influence spreads beyond Britain. We explore his relationship with American potters Warren and Alix MacKenzie, his travels across the United States, and his celebrated 1952 tour with Shōji Hamada and Sōetsu Yanagi.
From Black Mountain College to the emerging American studio pottery movement, we meet artists including Marguerite Wildenhain, Karen Karnes and Peter Voulkos, and discover how a new generation embraced, challenged and transformed Leach’s ideas.
This is the story of how Bernard Leach became an international figure — and how his philosophy helped reshape studio pottery for generations to come.
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Artworks and images in this episode:
Bernard Leach, David Leach, and students at the Leach Pottery, St. Ives, Cornwall c.1945
A Potter’s Book, by Bernard Leach, 1940
David Leach, 1911-2005
Standard Ware Bowls, Bernard Leach
Pottery Dinnerware, The LeachPottery, St. Ives
Michael Cardew, William Marshall, Bernard Leach, Picnicking at Cardew’s Pottery in 1970, Courtesy of Jeff Oestrich
Bernard Leach at Alfred University, 1950,
Warren & Alix MacKenzie, 1953,
Bowl, Warren MacKenzie, c. 1969-1970
Ceramics, Warren MacKenzie, 1924-2018
Hamada, Leach, Yanagi and Wildenhain at Black Mountain College, 1952
Sōetsu Yanagi, Bernard Leach and Shōji Hamada, 1952
Black Mountain College Seminar, 1952
Vases, Margaurite Wildenhain, c. 1940’s-50’s
Bottle Vase, Margurite Wildenhain, 1970
Vase, Bernard Leach, c. 1959
Shōji Hamada, c.1970
Sōetsu Yanagi, Bernard Leach, Rudy Autio, Peter Voulkos, Shōji Hamada, 1959
Covered Jar, Peter Voulkos, c.1954
Peter Voulkos kicking the potters wheel, 1952
Cup and Signed Box, Shōji Hamada
Robert Rauschenberg at Black Mountain College, c.1952
Bernard Leach, c.1920’s
Chapters
00:00:00 Introduction: Bernard Leach's Later Life and International Impact
00:01:00 David Leach and the Standard Wares: Professionalizing the Pottery
00:03:09 The Apprentice Model: Learning Philosophy and Craft
00:05:26 Warren McKenzie: The First American Apprentice
00:10:29 Leach's First American Tour: Land of Money, Speed and Gadgetry
00:13:11 The Three Musketeers: Leach, Hamada and Yanagi Tour America
00:17:05 Black Mountain College: Clash of Philosophies
00:22:59 Hamada's Magic: Improvisation and Visual Language
00:25:38 Archie Bray Foundation: Meeting the Young Peter Voulkos
00:33:10 Legacy: Bernard Leach as Big as Wedgwood
Credits:
Hosts: Paul Greenhalgh & Stephanie Rozene
Editor: Sam Bond
Executive Producer: Emma Cahusac
