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Don
Potter: an inspiring century Author: Vivienne Light 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.
Maquette for The Angel for Wolverhampton
Crematorium 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.
Ceramic Station of The Cross 1959
Reviews Art Review [Edition November 2002] Ossian Ward ‘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.
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.
Anthony Penrose 5 November 2002 ‘The book is beautiful. What an elegant job you have made of the assembly and layout. You really bring Don to life and you let all the contributors speak for themselves. I have never seen such a perfect job of plaiting together so many strands to make such a strong narrative.’
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