Peter Lange (ceramicist)


Peter Reid Lange is a New Zealand ceramicist.

Biography

Lange was one of twins born to Phoebe Fysh Lange and Eric Roy Lange, a medical practitioner, in Ōtāhuhu on 6 September 1944. His older brother was David Lange, who served as the prime minister of New Zealand from 1984 to 1989.
Since the 1980s, Lange has been a leading figure in the New Zealand ceramics and pottery scene. As Dan Chapell writes: "In the case of his brick sculptures, there's a surprising sense of lightness and 'user-friendliness' that belies the material he's used". Alistar Carruthers states of Lange: "He is a risk-taker with an ability to engage people in the ideas he works with in his practice. His wit and imagination are always manifest in his work."
He was married to Rosemary Lange, and has three children.

Recognition

In the 2016 New Year Honours, Lange was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to ceramic arts.
Lange's work is in the collections of the Auckland War Memorial Museum, Christchurch Art Gallery, Beehive (New Zealand), Suzhou School of Art in China, and the Aberystwyth Arts Centre in Wales.
  • 2006 Winner of the Premier Award in Portage Ceramic Awards
  • 2005 Recipient of the Creative New Zealand Craft/Object Art Fellowship.
  • 1997–2008 Director of Auckland Studio Potters Teaching Association
  • 1986 Merit Award Winner, Fletcher Challenge Ceramics Awards
  • 1984 Merit Award Winner, Fletcher Challenge International Awards

Selected works