B.
Len Castle (1924 – 2011)
Behind the scenes
The Gallery was sad to hear of the death of Len Castle, one of New Zealand's pioneering potters. Castle began working as a potter in the 1940s and was to become the leading light of New Zealand's pottery movement for over six decades. In the 1950s he worked with Bernard Leech in England and during the 1960s he began potting professionally, travelling and studying in China, Japan and South Korea.
A vase by Len was the first piece of pottery to be acquired for the Robert McDougall Art Gallery's collection. Purchased in 1954 by William Baverstock, it laid the foundations for the Gallery's ceramics collection. The most recent addition of Len's pottery to the permanent collection was this stunning blue bowl.
Len Castle Untitled (Blue Bowl) c.1990. Stoneware. Collection of Christchurch Art Gallery, presented by Eric Biddington 2009
Related
Collection
Len Castle Untitled (blue bowl)
Light blue glazed stoneware with classic Len Castle ‘volcanic’ markings. Underside of work deep blue/black impressed with maker's initials.
Collection
Len Castle Bowl Stemmed
The elegance and symmetry of this shallow bowl have much in common with Japanese ceramics and its fine texture reflects Len Castle’s profound love of nature and the alchemical processes of firing clay. There is a depth in the subtle colour achieved through a controlled technique characteristic of Castle’s work. Bowl Stemmed has been iron glazed. Castle was born in Auckland and has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Auckland. He began potting professionally in 1962 and was a founder of the studio pottery movement in New Zealand. Castle was the first New Zealand potter to have had solo exhibitions in Australia, the United States, Japan and Sweden. His work is held in numerous private and public collections, including the collection of the British Royal Family and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
