Title: Don Potter: an inspiring century

Author: Vivienne Light

Foreword: Sir Terence Conran

Book Design: Sarah Jane Jackson

Publisher Canterton Books

Published September 2002

ISBN 0-9541627 – 1 – 4

Retail price: £22.50

Numbered hardback edition of one thousand, 218 pages and 195 illustrations (60 colour)

This book was published to coincide with a Retrospective of Don Potter's work at Dorset County Museum, Dorchester, 21 September–2 November, 2002.

This book is about Donald Potter, who was still sculpting in his studio at Bryanston when over 100 years old. Don was one of the first members of The Scout Association and was a respected friend of Lord Baden-Powell, who encouraged him in his first wood carving. Don then went to work with Eric Gill and executed many of Gill's major wood carvings, including sculptures for St. George's Chapel, Windsor; Winchester College; and the Bodleian Library, Oxford. From 1941-1982 he worked at Bryanston School, Blandford, teaching sculpture, metalwork, lettering and pottery. Studying with Michael Cardew and Ray Finch at Winchcombe, Don became an accomplished studio potter in his late thirties. Major contemporary studio potters today, such as Richard Batterham and Mike Dodd , once studied with Don. While teaching Don also completed several architectural church sculptures in the Midlands for the Architectural firm of Percy & Twentyman ; he also carved, in granite, the figure of Baden-Powell which stands in Kensington High Street. He has been a major inspirational figure for many of today's top artists, designers and architects, including Terence Conran , Quinlan Terry and Richard Burton . Such people as these have made contributions to the book.

REVIEWS

Art Review [Edition November 2002]

‘Impressive not only for the research that was involved in piecing together the life and work of Potter (someone who keeps no record of anything he produces), Light's book is also a testament to a great teacher. Much space is given over to former pupils, including Terence Conran and Richard Batterham, whose creative careers were sparked by Potter's instruction. Ossian Ward

Ceramics in Society 2003

Vivienne Light's book starts with a short history of Don Potter's life and achievements, focusing on the most influential periods, and then goes on to illustrate his work in different media. This is followed by a gallery of about twenty of his former students who have gone on to become creative designers, letterers, potters, wood-carvers and so on. Throughout the book are anecdotes and quotations from these and others, pouring affectionate tribute on a teacher who continues to be creatively active even to this day.

The author was invited to write an article on Donald Potter and the book for Ceramic Review January/February 2003

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