Wakefield Museums and Castles

Albert Wainwright painted this vase in a style of decoration known as peasant pottery.

Wainwright was an artist. He also worked in theatre design, painting and illustration. He was a friend of the famous sculptor Henry Moore. They both learned pottery painting from their art teacher at Castleford Grammar School, Alice Gostick.

Gostick taught evening classes in peasant pottery too. The style is known for its bright colours, bold patterns and abstract designs. Alice let her pupils paint freely. She liked them to experiment and encouraged them to cover the whole surface of their pots.

Gostick and her students often added their own personal maker's marks or monograms. Wainwright painted his initial on the base of this vase.