Geckos Norwich - About us

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Clay Wall Art by Lorraine Mammone began when a passion for Pottery started from an adult education class. This came about when Lorraine moved to Norfolk from Scotland in 1991. Originally from Kent she has been inspired by many artists and cultures and studied Art and Ceramics for many years with a view to incorporating unusual views into her own unique designs.

The wall climbing lizards have sold in galleries in Norfolk and are becoming quite collectable as each one is individually hand made. Geckos are considered very lucky to have in your home in many cultures and can be made to order in most sizes and colours to suit the home or garden. Each Gecko measures approximately 25 - 30cms long, although most people like a large and small set.

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I work mainly in buff clay and terracotta for the lizards and they are fired in earthenware, crystal and metallic glazes. Also high fired stoneware glazes are used for a more natural look.

Mainly self taught, I decided to explore a creative movement through landscapes and fell in love with Norfolk which inspires me every time I take a walk; be it along the beaches or in the woods. All seasons and weathers the colours and change and transform coastlines and broads into an exciting project to be represented in clay form.

In 1995 I invested in a kiln and started trying new ideas and techniques both with different clays and glazes. Most of the glazes I use are from Germany and some are hand mixed. The clay is mainly stoneware as this creates a more natural look which is essential to the end product.

Colours and locations in and around the Norfolk coastlines give me great inspiration and are incorporated into my work when each piece is created. Using natural vegetation from fields, woods and beaches to impress and incise clay slabs, both photography and memory are used to influence colour and create a contemporary image of Norfolk at its most beautiful in the form of lamps and

clay wall art.

CLEY IN SPRING

Other influences for clay wall art are surrealism and cubism integrated with the male and female form and movement, then finding different textures and either earthy or vibrant colours so the viewer needs to reach out and touch the piece. Using slabwork and coils for the main and adding unusual textures and sometimes glass which can be very effective.

HARD LINES PICASSO WOMAN

incised clay with oxides underglazes and earthenware impressed slabs

male form transparent slabs and coils transparent earthenware

eartenware

The geckos were inspired by a friend who whilst on holiday fell in love with the tiny lizards which seem to be a part of any apartment. When she arrived home she asked me to make her a version of the geckos in clay. That was in 1994 and from then on they have sold internationally.

In 2006 I opened my own business and called it “Geckos” where I exhibited my own and other local self taught artists work for one year. I used the back of the studio to create new ideas and make lots of Geckos, the public were able to watch a work in progress.

The business made front page of the Arts Antiques and collectables newspaper for originality.

I have exhibited in Norfolk from 1993 and have most recently been accepted by the ‘International Association of Two and Three Dimensional Artists’ with a view to exhibiting my work internationally.

Norfolk broad lamps which are toasted crank clay, high fired in stoneware glazes.

These were inspired by the beautiful scenery around the Norfolk coast.
CROMER

The wall plaques are wall art in clay as opposed to a canvass, an unusual technique which is very tactile as well as a lovely feature on any wall. These are made to order and can be any size required to suit.

MANDOLIN

The wedding couples are a wonderful keepsake for any happy couple on their big day.

Underglazes are used on the leather hard clay and once bisque fired

they are then covered in a transparent to bring out the beautiful glossy colours.

These measure approximately 25 - 30cms high.

The earring trees were stumbled upon when someone had too many earrings in a box and was unable to find a matching pair! These are made in terracotta clay and high fired for durability. They are now used for display purposes for the Hotrocks handmade jewellery store in Cambridge. These measure approximately 8cms high and hold around 40 - 50 pairs of earrings.

ORIGINAL DICHROIC GLASS AND SILVER DESIGNS

BY MELANIE HANNANT

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