William Newland

William Newland was born in New Zealand and came to London to study art on a bursary from the New Zealand government in 1945. He studied painting at the Chelsea School of Art 1945-47 and art education at the University of London, Institute of Education. In 1948 he went to the Central School to study pottery under Dora Billington. He went on to teach evening classes at the Central School between 1949 and 1965, and also taught at the Institute of Education from 1949-1982. At the Central School he met and married fellow student Margaret Hine.

Newland taught 'throwing' at the Central School and was encouraged by Dora Billington to lead a new school in studio pottery influenced by the work of Picasso, making thrown animal figures. Together with Nicholas Vergette and Margaret Hine he formed what came to be known as The Bayswater Group, dubbed by Bernard Leach The Picassoettes. They did a great deal of work for interiors in the 1950s and 1960s, most notably for the Golden Egg chain of coffee bars.
The Newland family have presented his extensive archive of papers; teaching materials, cuttings etc. These are as yet uncatalogued but are available for research.
Author: Sylvia Backemeyer