Cardew Michael

Michael Cardew: A Pioneer of British Studio Pottery

Michael Cardew (1901–1983) was a pioneering British studio potter and the first pupil of Bernard Leach, a key figure in 20th-century ceramics. He began his pottery career in St Ives, Cornwall, before taking over a disused pottery at Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, in 1926. There, with craftsmen like Elijah Comfort and Ray Finch, he revitalised traditional English slipware pottery. In 1939, Cardew moved to Wenford Bridge Pottery in Cornwall, entrusting Winchcombe to Finch.

World War II took Cardew to Ghana, marking the start of a lifelong connection to Africa. In 1950, he established the Abuja Pottery Training Centre in Nigeria, promoting local pottery traditions and training native artisans. He divided his time between Nigeria and Cornwall, and his work reflected a blend of British and African influences. Cardew’s cross-cultural approach broadened his stylistic range and inspired a new generation, including his son Seth and grandson Ara.

Known for his powerful, straightforward style, Cardew valued simplicity, unrefined materials, and functional beauty. His book Pioneer Pottery remains a foundational guide on pottery techniques and materials. Cardew’s stoneware and slip-decorated earthenware were widely exhibited, and he received many honours for his contributions to ceramics before his death in 1983.