Gennie de Lange’s deftly drawn ceramic tiles are a mix of Mediterranean summer heat and shadow. “Rich glaze effects, luminous, transparent and glowing colours with simple forms underpin her work. The landscape and architecture are minimised to stripes and blocks and are enlivened by shadows of people who seem to tell a story.” (1)

De Lange establishes a central narrative of dogs and their owners, who in turn become like them. Works such as Café Culture and Life is a Circus depict primitive figures with animal’s heads. “…I watch other people and imagine what their dogs are thinking. The people turn into animals, cavort, strut and dance on the stage of life, seizing the moment.” (2)

These works are memories and evocations. De Lange’ s own dog recently died; through her work she celebrates his life. “He was a second-hand and from his first owner he had learned understanding, wisdom & kindness. He made me laugh…. My dog is on my back like a knapsack filled with dancing memories.” (3)

“What makes these works fresh is de Lange’s mastery of her medium. Rather than merely imitating painterly effects, she recruits the characteristics of ceramic glazes to texture the surface…” (4)

1. Dobson Bashford Gallery, 2000.
2. Gennie de Lange, Artist statement, July 2004.
3. Gennie de Lange, Artist statement, July 2004.
4. Richard Dingwall, “Art Seen,” Otago Daily Times, August 2, 2001.