De Lange, Gennie » Artist Statement and Gallery Note

De Lange, Gennie

Artist Statement and Gallery Note

Artist’s Statement

 In contrast to oil, watercolour or resin paintings, all of which are done with the artist being able to see the tones and colours develop as they apply them, ceramic glazes change colour radically when fired in the kiln.   

After forty years I am still experimenting and inventing new combinations of glazes to achieve new mottled and marbled effects. Many of the glazes I bought in 1967 no longer exist as they contain too much lead and cadmium, chemicals that killed off many French ceramicists in the nineteenth century - their average life expectancy was thirty-five years.   

Some of the glazes I use don’t like going on top of each other and turn black, some are opaque while others are transparent. All the glazes are soft powdery pastel colours. Many layers of glazes are scratched and painted onto unglazed floor tiles that have been dipped into a white glaze. It is not until they have been in the kiln for four days and fired to 1045 degrees centigrade that I can see what I have achieved (or totally lost due to breakage). Of course this cannot be done on a vertical surface as it would flow down in an incredible L.S.D.- like rainbow. Usually you only see these wonderful colours on stoneware or on china painting.   

Admittedly this technique is very difficult, but I suppose I am like an acrobat on a high wire or gymnast who manages to make something difficult look easy and lots of fun. Making people smile makes me happy.                                                                        (Abridged May 2009)  

A whole bunch of colour, a tipple of wine and some cheeky nudity all contribute to making a perfect mid winter show. What I get most from these works is the great sense of companionship. In each and every case there is a realized companionship and in a few instances there is the addition of a distant and unrealised, desired, companionship. Gennie hasn’t shown in Wellington for 8 years, so her return is a much anticipated event. Life is short so please feel free to throw off any prudish inkling you might have and enjoy!

back to artist page