For nearly three decades Neil Brownsword has explored marginalised histories associated with ceramic manufacture in North Staffordshire, focusing primarily on the impact of globalisation in recent decades upon people, place and traditional skills.

His reactivation of endangered industrial crafts has achieved impact internationally via curated projects and cross-cultural exchange. Brownsword's work raises questions surrounding the value and contemporary relevance of intergenerational skills and obscure regional histories, and how these can be re-imagined into new narratives and modes of expression that reinforce place identity.

This lecture celebrates the life and work of the potter and teacher Henry Hammond (1914-1989) who was Head of Ceramics at the West Surrey College of Art and Design 1946-1980.

The Crafts Study Centre is grateful to the Trustees of the Henry Hammond Trust for their support of the annual lectures.