Our Artists

Description

Lucienne de Mauny has been potting professionally since 1982. After studying Ceramics for her first degree she served an apprenticeship in one of the last surviving traditional country potteries in England. Later she worked as a production thrower in Northern France.

Lucienne established her current workshop at Blenheim Farm, near Wallingford, South Oxfordshire, England in 1985 with partner Anthony Fletcher. They work as a team, largely to order, employing occasional part-time help. Lucienne's high-fired earthenwares possess a rare unity of form and surface decoration. Her style is both fresh and distinctive.

All pots have a purpose and many are inspired by Lucienne's own culinary pursuits. Each piece is hand-thrown and decorated with slips (liquid clay) using traditional techniques and tools: Lucienne continues to'slip-trail' using a cows horn and goose quill; a versatile tool lending itself to both fluent, rapid mark making and the more considered gestures required for lettering.

A range of pots, recently developed and much in demand, is the 'The Olive Collection' The decorative technique used on these pieces is known as 'sgraffito'; a tool is used to cut through the layer of contrasting coloured slip on the pot to the clay beneath. Colours are added later. This striking design evolved over time, from some commemorative wares Lucienne was commissioned to design and produce for The Aldwych Theatre.