Gennie de Lange commenced art studies at the Wellington Polytechnic (1958-1960). In her search for a self-supporting career, she headed for Scandinavia to study leading edge design. Inspired by the colours and textures experienced during her travels, she returned to London in 1963, spending a year at the Hammersmith School of Art, before working at Chelsea Pottery (1965-1967). When the family moved to Texas, de Lange borrowed a kiln and began creating unique tile artworks. Returning to Christchurch at the end of 1968, her art practice flourished. In 1980, she returned to London undertaking post-graduate studies at the Middlesex School of Art. The family continued to travel widely, spending significant time in their 300 year old apartment in Sète, France.
Since her first group show, at the 1967 New York World Fair, de Lange has continued to exhibit widely throughout New Zealand in both dealer and public art galleries, including The Suter (Nelson), The Sarjeant (Whanganui), The Dowse (Upper Hutt) and Govett-Brewster (New Plymouth). Her work has been exhibited in England, France and Switzerland, and is in both public and private art collections, including the Auckland Museum, The James Wallace Collection and the Waikato and Christchurch art galleries.
With a career in the arts spanning over 60 years, de Lange has been a potter, fashion designer, author, and photographer. She is however, best known for her unique ceramic paintings created using many layers of glazes fired over 3 days. Through endless experimentation, de Lange has discovered how to handle the glazes to their greatest advantage. The results are quite different from oils or watercolours, the effects being more similar to enamelling on metal. The glaze effects are rich, luminous and complex, like stained glass (sometimes with a jewel-like quality).
Over the years, there have been many influences on de Lange’s work. The early flower paintings were inspired by Matisse paintings that de Lange had seen at the Hermitage in St Petersburg. In her later paintings, the flowers became more abstract and would float about in drifts and streamers, like Medieval carnivals. The introduction of boats, sailors, mermaids and the French countryside were inspired by her travels and time spent living in the family’s 300 year old apartment in Sète, France. Her dog has always featured in de Lange’s work, and has become a symbol – another ‘person’ responding to life’s situations. The loneliness of the isolated artist and the desire to achieve, are the stimuli for the ‘climbing’ paintings. People and their relationships have always been of interest and de Lange‘s silhouettes show couples in conversation and groups interacting.
After a 5 year hiatus, de Lange is once again creating. Her new works are on a smaller scale (a more suitable size for someone nudging 80). They also reflect a more relaxed and contented Gennie. She feels privileged to have a sympathetic partner, and a devoted family that brings huge happiness. After several operations, she is again able to work in her beloved garden, the inspiration for her two most recent works.
We are delighted to present in this survey show, over 40 works representing each of the six decades of her career – from the early 1970s through to the present day. Enjoy!