John Ward book

A book has recently been published on the pottery of John Ward by Emma Crichton-Miller, the book is hardbound and fully illustrated, i believe this is the first book assisted by a new venture called the Maak foundation which has been created to enable would be authors of books on some aspect of studio pottery to research and get into print, full details can be found on the Maak website, The book retails at around £30.

Cheapest is on Ebay at £27.69 post free.
It is a very interesting book. The writing style is a bit colloquial, and one perhaps would liked to have a deeper critique of his work. But that is being nit picking. As a guide and overall survey of his career it is a very good and satisfying read. Throws much light on a terrific potter who very little has been written about that is easily accessible.

The interesting question would be, what other potters need to such a book written about them. Given that a lot of important potters have now got books on them.
         Alan Wallwork, Peter Hayes, Ewen Henderson Jennnifer Lee. How many more?

I agree a number of books have been printed on certain high- profile potters but a think there is room to dig a bit deeper. In the art world, even many minor modern artists have in depth volumes about their working methods, lives and influences, i think if this Maak foundation enterprise works it can only benefit the world of studio pottery as a whole. My ideal choice for a book would be for Gillian lowndes.

Guy Sydenham had 2 books written about his life and his career.
Buying an old navy gunboat to live on with his wife and son, then moving to an island off Dorset with just the 3 of them to make a home, build a studio and kilns, dig his own clay, etc...
A great story, even if you don't like pottery.

croker wrote:I agree a number of books have been printed on certain high- profile potters but a think there is room to dig a bit deeper. In the art world, even many minor modern artists have in depth volumes about their working methods, lives and influences, i think if this Maak foundation enterprise works it can only benefit the world of studio pottery as a whole. My ideal choice for a book would be for Gillian lowndes.

I presume you have this one Croker.
http://ruthincraftcentre.org.uk/exhibitions/gillian-lowndes-2/

It is an excellent 124 page paperback written by Amanda Fielding. It is really an excellent book with many illustrations and discusion of her pottery. As a critical work it is much better than the Ward book. I have a copy in front of me now.

This book is the main reason for my suggested choice regarding a new publication, it has now become almost impossible to obtain a copy, i don't know how many copies were printed but it couldn't have been many. Did you see the piece of hers at Cheffins earlier this year, i underbid it but regret not buying it now .

https://www.bookfinder.com/search/?ac=sl&st=sl&ref=bf_s2_a1_t1_1&qi=L6U3S.zk,klx7X,.cvTP9sfonbs_1667398382_1:3:4&bq=author%3Damanda%2520fielding%26title%3Dgillian%2520lowndes

It is available. But very expensive!

This the main reason i would like to see a new book on Gillian Lowndes published, the prices some sellers are asking are quite ridiculous in my view .

Capitalism in the Raw as they say. On the same site there is copy of the Yew Tree John Maltby book at £100.

I see Maak are having an evening  in London with a discussion panel on John Ward and a selected selection of his works on show. You have got to admire the promoting of the market for John Ward.
            Although made a large number of his pots in rural Wales, vh work has always struck me as having an urban aesthetic. As opposed to the Leach tradition.

Morning Philpot, I had thought about going to the evening talk but unable to at the present time. I find his work fits in well with modern interiors whereas Leach type pots always look a bit folksy. I have always thought Ward has taken more onboard from Coper than he cares to admit. I have slowed up buying Ward pots at the moment and i am concentrating more on Henderson.

I see on Amazon that there is going to be a new Catalogue of the V&A studio ceramics collection in April 2023 from Thames & Hudson. The illustration of the book on Amazon has a picture of a Black and White John Ward on the front cover.
About time there was a new book on collection tho. The last was over 30 years ago!

As you say long overdue and hopefully it will be a totally new book rather than just a reprint with a few more photos added and a supplement at the back