Jeff Oestreich

Jeff Oestreich is a ceramic artist who works in Minnesota. He primarily makes functional work with minimal surface decoration and usually soda fired glazes. In his own words ‘Function is at my core….never take function for granted….’ He studied at the Bemidji State University and the University of Minnesota with Warren Mackenzie. In 1969 he also apprenticed under Bernard Leach for two years.

“My early pottery training at the Leach Pottery in the late 1960’s was heavily influenced by Japanese pottery, due to the fact that Bernard spent many years making work in Japan.  Since that experience, my work has slowly moved away from this direct influence, although there are still the underpinnings of the pottery of Japan, China and Korea in my work, that being simplicity, directness of approach.

I am currently doing salt glazing which has its origins in Germany. I have one foot in Japan, one in Germany, and an interest in Art Deco architecture. All things considered, my approach is American, borrowing from as many sources that speak to me.  Leach Pottery were delighted to Jeff in November/December 2022 as he took up residency in the museum. using his long standing connection with the pottery and St Ives as his inspiration.

Jeff Oestreich: 75 x 75 Exhibition, Honouring, Interpretation & Whimsy

Artist in Residence : 14 November - 9 December 2022

At the end of last year we were delighted to welcome back US based potter Jeff Oestreich for a month-long Residency. This culminated in a body of work, inspired by Jeff’s long standing connection with the pottery, its people past and present and his affection with St Ives. In this new range of work, some pieces were made by Jeff in his Studio in Minnesota, others were made at the Leach Pottery.

‘I often think of a residency as an opportunity to step away from the safety and comfort of my own studio and develop a new body of work with a theme…’

Jeff’s residency had three themes:

• ‘Honouring’ -  A way for Jeff to thank a number of people who have shaped his life. He ‘sprigged’ on to pots buttons or objects owned by that person, adding initials, for example a sprig of the knife that Janet Leach was given by her uncle when she was five. He also impressed sprigs of jewellery owned by his parents. One pot honoured Bernard: His wheel made in 1926 was in Jeff’s studio for several years; a man bought his wheel from Janet and it was shipped to Texas. It then came to Minnesota and Jeff made an impression of the worn wood.

• ‘Interpretation’ - Jeff revisited some of the Standward Ware forms he and other apprentices made in 1969, updating these forms to reflect his current obsession with Art Deco elements, and putting his spin on them. 

• ‘Whimsy’ - A reflection on this theme has to be from Jeff’s own words: “when I was five I made potholders. Everyone back then did, learning them at church camp or Girl Scouts etc, they were an icon of the 1950's and were only made in America. I decided to personalize them so I bought white ones and dyed them with colors. I pulled one out of my pocket at the Leach Pottery Preview - made by me, 70 years ago…”