Listing Details
Len Castle
DCNZM CBE
1924 – 2011
Renowned Potter Len Castle's first experience of seeing pottery created was as a child watching a demonstration by Olive Jones at the Auckland Easter Show. Castle graduated with a BSC from Auckland University and went on the become a Science teacher. He started making pottery in 1947, attending classes taught by Robert Nettleton Field at Avondale College. Ten years later he was awarded a fellowship from the association of New Zealand Art Societies which enabled him to travel to St Ives, Cornwall, and work with Bernard Leach for a year. The New Zealand Society of Potters was formed in 1963 of which Castle was a founding member and regular exhibitor in their exhibitions.
In 1960 he built a home and studio on Tawini Rd, Titirangi. He later moved in the 70’s to another property in South Titirangi. Both studios became known destinations for tourists.
Castle was able to travel again 1966-67 and 1974 when he studied in Japan and visited potters in Korea and China. The knowledge and skills he learnt have been incredibility significant to trends with potters and ceramists in New Zealand.
Castle received a CBE for Services to Pottery in 1986, a New Zealand Commemorative Medal in 1990. He received an Arts Foundation of New Zealand Icon Award in 2003, and a Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Auckland in 2004. He was also awarded a DCNZM (Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit) for Services to Pottery. His ‘Mountain to Sea’ touring exhibition of some sixty works, toured to selected galleries between 2009 -2010.
Dimensions: 265mm W x 280mm D x 145mm H
