Warren Mackenzie: An American Potter

by David R. Lewis, Tatsuzo Shimaoka (Photographer)

This book is a journey through the life and work of a great American craftsman, an account of his vision and struggle. Warren MacKenzie has spent his life extending a craft tradition that draws inspiration from the great potter Bernard Leach in Britain, the mingei movement of postwar Japan, and traditional American crafts. His work - exhibited in major museums across the United States and featured in art publications throughout the world - represents a successful pioneering effort to establish contemporary craft as a form of expression equal to any of the fine arts.
Through the lucid prose of David Lewis and the stunning photography of Peter Lee we enter into the inner sanctum of the artist's life. We are there during the inspirational years of his apprenticeship with Bernard Leach in Cornwall. We are there in his workshop in Minnesota, watching as he brings a ball of clay to life, spins a shapeless wet mass into a glistening tower of a vase. We are there in his home as the artist succinctly places pottery - and indeed, the whole array of hand-made objects - into a new and meaningful context for the nineties.

Genres: Art

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

David Lewis is a retired, decorated Lieutenant-Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy. Having retired just before COVID came to visit, he was forced to stay home with limited options for personal productivity. Perhaps it was time for him to paint and to write. David writes about his life and many years of military service in both the US and Canada, Europe and Afghanistan. He also includes how flashbacks of childhood abuse at the hands of parish priests have influenced and infected his life and service. David is a recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal, the General Campaign Star – South-West Asia, the Commander Canadian Army Commendation, and other decorations. He has been married to Sherrie, his wife of over 40 years. They have five children and one granddaughter.

(Also, I have not authored over 200 books. Goodreads just attaches every 'David Lewis' authored book and I can't undo it)

Reviews

[Lee Love]

The original is Five Star. The reprint does not have images of MacKenzie's best work. Rather, it has work that the republisher owned and sold on Ebay.