Tate St Ives Showcase
3 February – 13 May 2007
Bernard Leach (1887 – 1979) travelled to St Ives from Japan with fellow potter Shoji Hamada in 1920 to set up the Leach Pottery, which became one of the most celebrated potteries in Britain. This display highlights a selection of works by key figures in the story of the Leach Pottery. This unique group brought together by collectors George and Cornelia Wingfield-Digby, reflects on the history and ethos of the Leach Pottery. It includes Leach’s pots as well as pieces by some of the major potters who worked alongside him such as Janet and David Leach. While all share an interest in high-fired stoneware and porcelain, they each developed individual styles related to, but subtly different from, each other.
The Wingfield-Digby Collection was accepted by HM Government in lieu of Inheritance Tax and allocated to Tate 2005.