Robert Blatherwick Showcase
A showcase of the work of Robert Blatherwick at The Usher Gallery
Robert Blatherwick (Bob) attended Lincoln School of Art as a junior student at the age of 14, where he studied a broad range of subjects including lettering, drawing, sculpture, and specialised in pottery and modelling. He took the Board of Education Drawing Examination, and was awarded a Gibney Scholarship, after which he went to Wedgwood's Pottery in Stoke on Trent, attending Burslem School of Art for additional tuition. He then went to Winchcombe Pottery in Gloucestershire, and was employed by Michael Cardew, making slip decorated earthenware. He was in charge of Winchcombe for some of this time, but in 1942, due to factors concerned with the war, the pottery closed temporarily. On Cardew's recommendation, Bernard Leach invited Bob to join his pottery at St. Ives, where he worked for a year. On returning to Lincoln, he took up teaching at Lincoln School of Art, where he worked full-time for twenty-two years, until his resignation in 1967.
From 1967-1990 Bob and his wife Marjorie, ran a business from their home, with a workshop and gallery showroom. Bob was involved in the early stages of The Craftsmen Potters Association. He produced a wide range of high fired earthenware including jewellery, sculpture, sculptural and decorated tiles, and domestic items for everyday use such as tea pots, cups and saucers, jugs, casseroles, mugs, serving dishes, salt pots, etc. They sold work across the country and had commissions from abroad. They ceased trading when Bob reached 70 years or age, but he continued to work until his death, and was planning on building a new kiln.