Leslie Illsley

Leslie Illsley was an English artist and sculptor based in West Penwith. He was one of the founders of the Troika group (also known as Troika Pottery). Leslie is also the brother of prominent St Ives artist Bryan Illsley.

Early life

Leslie was the second of three brothers born and raised in Surbiton. He attended Kingston College of Art where he graduated. He attended evening classes as Central St Martins in 1959 whilst working as a sculptor repairing Westminster Abbey by day. In 1960 entered the Young Contemporaries competition beating such names as Peter Blake, Maurice Agis and David Hockney to first prize.^[1] Leslies influences were diverse from Brancusi and Paul Klee ^[2] to Rembrandt.

Troika

Leslie ran Troika with Benny Sirota from 1963 until Benny left the business in 1980 and eventually it closed in 1983. The Troika designs were mostly by Leslie who would scratch designs into pots using nails. His intention was to get a piece of modern art into every home without then realising. This arguably made Leslie Illsley one for Britains most prolific artists.^[3]

Further reading

• Cashmore, Carol (1994). Troika Pottery St Ives. ISBN 99912-590-4-X
• Perrott, George (2003). Troika Ceramics of Cornwall. Gemini Publications. ISBN 0-9530637-3-9
• Harris, Ben and Illsley, Lawrence (2013). Troika 63-83. It's Pronounced Aitch Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9574873-0-7

References