Brooks, Richard
 

Richard Brooks was born in 1951 in Sydney, Australia. In 1971, after studying in Sydney and gaining certificates in ceramics, he came to England to start a three year apprenticeship with David Leach.

On his return to Sydney in 1974 he spent a year as an apprentice to Shiga Shigeo. Following this he gained further experience working for six months at the Royal Doulton Craft Studio in Australia under the directorship of Derek Smith.

Richard established his first workshop, Booralie Pottery, at Terry Hills, Sydney, in 1976, making high-fired earthenware pots. He took on a number of students over a period of four years before moving to larger premises and changing production to stoneware and porcelain.

The use of four body clays and about five glazes gives Richard the ability to produce a wide variety of shapes, sizes, textures and colours. His work shows a thorough understanding of his medium and an unusually well developed sense of form.

Lowerdown Pottery
 

David Leach set up Lowerdown Pottery in Bovey Tracey, South Devon, in 1955 after handing over the running of Aylesford Pottery to Colin Pearson, and remained there until his death in February, 2005.

In his early days at Lowerdown he specialized in slipware before turning his attention to stoneware and fine porcelain. The porcelain work is characterized by fine carving and his pale green celadon glaze. He makes his own tools from simple materials, and uses both kick- and power wheels.

Since 1970 David's son Jeremy Leach has potted at Lowerdown. The pottery's gallery displays much of David's work, and the work of other fine potters - notably that of his sons Jeremy and Simon.