Richard Batterham | Master Potter | Featuring Sir David Attenborough and Nigel Slater

The Joanna Bird Foundation felt it was imperative to make a film about Richard Batterham - the last of Bernard Leach’s practicing apprentices. Richard is a great example of how one man with due talent, diligence and discipline can achieve a remarkable and successful life time’s work making pots which truly enhance life.
Richard Batterham is an iconic figure though he himself is a modest man who has never sought fame or favour, but found his life making pots fascinating and utterly satisfying. He has built up a very successful business on his own selling his work all over the world.
Rejecting the notions of haste and commercialism that he feels are all too present in modern society he works with tide-like regularity preparing his own clay and glazes from the apple trees in his garden. Batterham cannot accept society’s pressure which dictates “items that you must have in your home to show everyone that you are in fashion”, fed to us in colour supplements and glossy magazines. His work is based around his philosophy and the resulting pieces are not only beautiful to behold and satisfying to use but imbued with deep integrity. Tanya Harrod has said of his work, “These pots are for us - ordinary people - not for museums.” This holds true, his notable fan club love and use his pots daily and Museums have also found his work irresistible, the V&A amongst many others have acquired his work
The film features Sir David Attenborough and Nigel Slater, both of whom endorse the quintessential philosophy behind Richard Batterham’s pottery, through which our daily lives are enriched.
The Joanna Bird Foundation
www.joannabird...
Producer and Interviewer: Joanna Bird
www.joannabird...
Director and Filmmaker: Alex J. Wright
www.alexjwrigh...

[@richardlovell4713]

Heartbreaking that he has now gone. RIP Richard Batterham, Master Potter

[@1111guru]

This was a gift to my soul to watch Richard so connected to his craft. So fulfilled and focused on his art.. Like a living meditation.

[@gerardmolenaar]

You know, I saw this film several times in the past few years. And every time it moves me. I am a bit of a potter myself since the early 70ies. Semi professional and passionately. Seventy two now and I know how time slips away. Comporting to know how such a giant as Richard kept on going on such a high level. Greetings to all potters from the Netherlands.

[@theresapelham1918]

Greetings Gerard!....from the Catskills Upstate New York. Student of Susan Beecher woodfire potter here in the mountains! Wonderful film!

[@nickacoutin2505]

Very well said I sold all my equipment last summer after 30 years of having it I started in the early 70’s because of a divorce what the hell was I thinking? Biggest mistake of my life now looking again for equipment it’s going to cost a lot and will never have what I had .

[@marlyswilliams9949]

Greetings to you as well from the US. Began throwing in my latter 50’s. 68 now. Indeed, time moves by quickly. All the best regards.

[@hurdygurdyguy1]

@@nickacoutin2505I “retired” from pottery in the late ‘90’s after moving to another city with all my supplies and equipment but never seemed to be able to find studio space so it’s all been sitting in my garage since then taking up a lot of space! I will probably sell it all in the next year or so EXCEPT the kickwheel I built 30 years ago modeled after the Leach triangular frame treadle wheel. That I will never sell, it is dear to me!!

[@maemae1752]

So much valuable knowledge amongst you all, where is the passing down of everything you have learned to others? The whole time I’m watching this film I’m thinking, all that knowledge and no one to carry it forward. My heart breaks to think of his studio one day coming to a stop because there is no one to keep it alive, to keep the knowledge and the skills alive. We are not where we are by accident. Please share what you know, your mastery is so valuable.

[@TheJojoaruba52]

"You just make what you make." My kind of guy....my new pottery motto...

[@d.jensen5153]

"Time goes very quickly. Very very quickly. It seems unbelievable now, but of course it was the 60s. And in the 60's if you wanted to do something, you got on and did it. And now it's all changed." Sing it, Sister!

[@alantodd7633]

I went to Richard's pottery about 25 years ago and bought a teapot and a jug, what a gentleman he was, and what a great loss he will be. R.I,P. Richard Batterham, you will be missed.

[@katekaniff5987]

“Where will people learn?” Right here, we learn right here! Every move you make, you are teaching, I am learning! ... thank you😊

[@DunoonVanRijn-dx1hr]

Opens up the senses to a alternative experience

[@susanhazard632]

This artist reminds me of my late father, a commercial fisherman for sixty years. My Dad was lost without his fishing boat, but his body wouldn't take the physical punishment any longer. Batterham will continue to make his pottery until he cannot move any longer. The adherence to his work ethic and his process - even using a kick wheel- is admirable. I truly hope he will take on an assistant some time in the future in order to sustain his waning energy, but also to teach his process to a younger person. He is an inspiration to me, as an artist I admire him.

[@createlovehappy]

This is one of the best potter films I've seen. Richard Batterham is among just a handful of potters working in this kick wheel slow full of feeling way of making pots. Our modern world is so fast and chaotic and his pots are a breath taken to ground ourselves and really feel something. His shapes are so true and full of life and his glazes are soft and inviting and gentle on the eyes. I've only seen his pots from afar, but I imagine holding them would be a lifetime of gratitude and pottery making education about form, function, surface and life itself. Very well done.

[@scottnelson1961]

What a lovely film, thank you to the creators and producers behind this. Also, love his philosophy of if you want to do something "just get on with it then" the English version and forefather of Nike's "just do it."

[@NickMarshall1]

Marvellous film recording a man working and living to his own drumbeat.

[@micheleheddane3804]

I remember hearing a story about a craftsman making the most perfect piece,nothing to improve ,perfect.he never made another thing.

[@juditholivier5812]

I loved this film. What a wonderful man and potter.

[@Jazzgin]

May his soul rest in peace. Such an inspiring master for a young, beginner potter. Thanks for sharing.

[@co-creator4338]

I've learnt so much from this doc than I did in school.

[@redhotfunkyblues]

What a lovely evocation of the quiet routine of the workshop and the meditative quality of the 'mud and water' life.

[@peterblack347]

Thank you Joanna for organising this! What a wonderful thing to have done

[@maemae1752]

So much valuable knowledge amongst all such craftspeople but where is the passing down of everything they have learned to others? The whole time I’m watching this film I’m thinking, all that knowledge and no one to carry it forward. My heart breaks to think of his studio one day coming to a stop because there is no one to keep it alive, to keep the knowledge and the skills alive. We are not where we are by accident. Artisans, please share what you know, your mastery is so valuable.

[@metteheinz]

Have one of his teapots. Had a splash out on a birthday once. So touched seeing this movie.

[@pamelabambrick5216]

Beautiful film, thank you 🙏 rest in peace Richard ❤️

[@TheRickydamen]

Rip Richard you will be much missed here in the village

[@thomasdecarlo8543]

Bless that man … an inspiration

[@noreenwerdal8238]

what a wonderful creative man...he has so much wisdom to pass on...I hope he keeps doing it...

[@ArtGardens]

Extraordinary man !! I havent heard someone speaking so much sense for a long time! Such a loss.

[@joycee5493]

His glazes are lovely and soothing!

[@matthewstedman7883]

This is great but I’d love to see more of the raw footage of his making.

[@MammaThibodeau05]

My dream has been to learn how to lucid dream so I can have Richard teach me!! Gifted man !

[@katekaniff5987]

Coming across you has been a gift✨ 😌”just get on with it” cheers to that!

[@Vivian5812]

Thank you Richard Batterham is so inspirational to us practicioners. Get on and do what you do, not so much what you think you should do (even if its not the 1960's). Ceramic is a wonderful medium where all the makers, from the clay harvesters to the arty farty (me) electric kiln users are all interesting and helpful to each other.

[@incognito3620]

What makes a person get up every day, and create. Create without thought of what others may think. And care less. To find inspiration from nature and ones own feelings and needs. To work in relative solitude and isolation. Necessary to create wonderful art. It is a unique individual. A person we call an Artist. There are many making works called art. But few will ever be artists. Mr. Batterham was the quintessential artist.

[@mikeu5380]

One of Bernard Leach's grandsons, Simon Leach, has a fine instructional series on his KZbin channel.

[@d.jensen5153]

The similarities in style between Richard and Simon are unmistakable, both tracing back to Bernard's methodology; in Simon's case through David Leach. So, yes, Simon Leach is a great source for instruction...even in person if you wish!

[@georgekingceramics]

Grateful to see this film, very insightful, beautiful wisdom x

[@terryscott9498]

Its sad to see a person so into pottery or anything they love and put your whole heart into it and then there gone.I wish i could have met him because he enjoyed this so much.I know i would have felt the energy from him.I love seeing someone so involed in his work,and i wouldnt call it work.Thank you

[@lucyspink7629]

Wonderful film, thank you for bringing it together and showing how talent and drive to make can create such beauty.

[@rutilopata8294]

Thank you for such a breathtaking insight into the life of this incredible potter, his soul and passion comes through in every pot and breath💐✨💐✨🙏🏻

[@Sonal-ThankyouGod]

Glad to see such passionate people and their love for what they do

[@hrouffa]

Amazing. So inspirational and sobering. Just beautiful.

[@amythestwarrington8362]

This is a beautiful video but they are incorrect in claiming this is the last practicing apprentice of Bernard Leach. It might be true of his European apprentices but two of his American apprentices are still practicing in the U.S.: Clairy Illian and Jeff Ostreich. I hope this organization can add to this series by interviewing them too!

[@simonebertino8600]

Oh... You are a true master. Big respect

[@ashleyevans3330]

So, heartfelt ♥️

[@Bukwa77]

What skills to preserve and pass on. Incredible

[@woolmarch4010]

Incredible man, craft and documentation. Thank You!

[@rachelkerns86]

Inspirational and beautiful 🫶🏻

[@susied.b4094]

Thank you.. ❤

[@Pipinella888]

many many thanks for this insight in a wonderful persons life and work! 🙏

[@dancampbell5068]

What a gem this was, if I could have half the beauty in the pots I make

[@emilylamb3708]

such a refreshing a beautiful film. thank you

[@anacolodina1379]

Amei tds suas peças amo coisas lindas uma verdadeira obra de Arte Brasil.

[@willfarquhar8550]

Rest in peace Richard. A great potter

[@trinanika8929]

Vous êtes un Grand magicien, félicitations avec toute mon admiration

[@simeonbanner6204]

I moan about it and relatively speaking I'm not that old. I remember art books, Rubens, El Greco thrown in the skip at art school, many tutors down the pub. And that was the good times in the 90's. Now the kids are being taught gender, colonialism and a kind of ideology that's currently fashionable in academia. Skills are out the window, the patriarchy, and kids who can't be disciplined and resent authority, hard years of learning. Then there's rich kids, rather than working class kids coming through. Who can afford to study at the colleges in London where you need to be after graduation to get commissions? All tricky stuff. Great video and inspiring man in this film.

[@Maxbeanbag]

I love this so much.

[@avisiktachakraborty3438]

Art within a lines....

[@bonniemerchant9692]

Thank you.

[@leemaclennan2640]

Amazing! thank you

[@joeswampdawghenry]

These guy gets it!! I must say

[@DunoonVanRijn-dx1hr]

I love round shapes and muted colours, restfulness

[@hannahruthwalker6867]

totally wonderful film thank you!

[@erikarejka6713]

That was wery, wery touching

[@tinderbox218]

Actual video starts at 3:15

[@anacolodina1379]

Peças lindas amo cerâmica louças Peças com muita personalidade tds lindas .

[@mariaantoniacasadovinas8915]

Maravillosas piezas.

[@sammi-joreviews1135]

The numbness in his fingers is medial nerve damage. It affects the first finger, thumb, & half of the middle finger. I have ulnar nerve damage, which causes numbness in the other half of the middle finger, & all of the ring & pinky finger on my right hand. The wrist to elbow area is sometimes painful when the hand & fingers act up.

[@Bukwa77]

Great works.

[@hurdygurdyguy1]

13:55 … In my studio potter days I once made a set of dinnerware for a customer. Delivered them and a few weeks later she called and was not pleased because “they didn’t fit in her dishwasher!” 😆😆😆 My immediate thought was “So?! I don’t make these to fit dishwashers! Wash them by hand!” Well, I didn’t say that… iirc I made her another set and a mental note not to make anything for her again!! 🤣

[@chhuntley5616]

It's hobbie ceramics Throw, using isomic energy and draw 5 -,10,- 25 Kgs is as far as physics allows one and shape the cylinder you have drawn into a classic vase.Small Foot , spherical perfect and light.,like they taught us at Art school and about two decades of training.

[@randygeyer7673]

He’s a funny guy. :)

[@miriamtorres7551]

Hermoso, un Arte Pomaire Chile 🇨🇱

[@kofibanana2008]

Rip master potter

[@loly6598]

Que genio! ❤👍

[@ow2750]

rest in peace - well lived!

[@golgumbazguide...4113]

Woww

[@judeirwin2222]

Wonderful things. Did he have a respiratory problem? He continually puffs and wheezes.

[@AnneMcCrossan]

Lovely film but your intro here needs correcting. John Bedding is still practicing as a ceramicist in St Ives and was an apprentice of Bernard Leach in the 1960's and 1970's.

[@nedludd8633]

12.25 to 13 .20 how to get silicosis or worse

[@mohdnasir5140]

Joanna?

[@glenncambray626]

A true piece of pottery allows for no ostentation. This is why rings should not be worn when holding a piece, especially a tea bowl, because it taps against the piece and blocks one's connection with it.

[@liferanger3356]

You learned nothing if every piece comes out right 👍🏼

[@jeremiahblessing3891]

Hi Swaroopa 🙃

[@JonyHermozo]

No tienen tradición al castellano

[@luyu1478]

At 28.35 either Richard or the camera person does a fart.

[@ApocalypseLounge]

Fast Forward to 3:00 to skip the unnecessary hot air

[@glenncambray626]

My word, Slater is a pompous Pratt.

[@joeswampdawghenry]

Very nice... Im the greatest living artist in the universe- k.o.f.

[@andrewhunter9870]

Potter excellent, commentary pretentious bollocks!

[@luyu1478]

The poor fella is pretty breathless. Stuff the pottery, get out and just enjoy nature and your garden mate.

[@theresapelham1918]

Indeed..noticed this also...short breath. Silica dust in the lungs...

[@lf5300]

HORRIBLES

[@beccaturner8834]

This is wonderful. Thank you for making it. Becca, @floandboo

[@keramodi]

Thank you.