Bernard Leach Archive Catalogue now online

Press release

2 August 2007 - Archives of the life and work of one of Britain's most celebrated 20th century potters is now available online. The Crafts Study Centre's Bernard Leach Catalogue and index of names provides descriptions and online reference numbers for more than 15,000 items in this major collection.

The 1,200-page document describes material such as letters, photographs, manuscripts and travel diaries richly associated with Leach's lifelong contact with Japan. Until now the catalogue has been available in hardcopy only as a resource for consultation by appointment at the Centre's home at University College for the Creative Arts at Farnham, Surrey, England.

The Bernard Leach Archive is a globally-important resource for research into the history and context of 20th century Anglo-Japanese arts and crafts and the crossover between these two cultures. Examples include Yanagi Soetsu and the development of the Mingei Movement, Leach's relationship with Japan's own celebrated artist-potter, Hamada Shoji and the narrative surrounding the Leach Pottery at St Ives. The archive has attracted international attention since it entered the Crafts Study Centre's collections in the mid 1980s when the Centre was based at the Holburne Museum of Art in Bath.

To book a research visit to see items in person please contact Jean Vacher, the Centre's Collections Manager for an appointment via email: jvacher@ucreative.ac.uk or phone: +44 (0) 1252 891452.

ENDS

Notes to the Editor:

1) The Crafts Study Centre was established and registered as a charity in 1970 by a small group of craft practitioners and educators to preserve the best British crafts of the 20th century. Today, the Centre enjoys an international standing as a unique collection and archive of 20th century and contemporary crafts.

2) The Centre's collections embrace ceramics, textiles, calligraphy, and furniture, accompanied by makers' diaries, working notes and photographs. Much of the collection has been built up from donations and bequests and includes work by such influential figures as Bernard Leach, Lucie Rie, Hans Coper, Ethel Mairet, Phyllis Barron, Edward Johnston and Ernest Gimson.

3) The Centre first opened at the Holburne Museum of Art, Bath in 1977 where it resided until 2000 when it relocated to a new, purpose-built museum at the University College for the Creative Arts at Farnham.