Jack Laird (potter)

Laird was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, on 29 August 1920.^[1] He married Peggy Marjorie Biggerstaff in 1943. Following World War II, he studied illustration and graphic design at the Chelsea School of Art on an ex-serviceman's scholarship. He began to specialize in pottery while undertaking postgraduate study at the University of London. In 1953, Laird moved to Jersey, where he taught art at a grammar school. In 1959, he emigrated to New Zealand to teach extramurally, based in Palmerston North, at Victoria University of Wellington.^[2] He became a naturalised New Zealand citizen in 1975.^[1]

In 1964, the Lairds established Waimea Pottery in Richmond, New Zealand, near Nelson. There, Laird trained a generation of Nelson potters, including Royce McGlashen, Darryl Robertson, John and Anne Crawford, and Laird's son Paul.^[2] At its peak, Waimea Pottery employed 17 potters.^[3] Later, Laird designed tableware for Temuka Pottery.^[2]

In the 1984 New Year Honours, Laird was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to pottery.^[4]

Laird died in 2009.^[2]