ALICE COLONIEU (1924-2010) Spirals Rare and interesting title-shaped lamp base. Polychrome enameled ceramic proof. Signed Alice COLONIEU under the base. Heightceramic only: 22cm - Diameter: 25cm Provenance: Galerie Clément Céramique, Lyon: Galerie Clément Céramique, Lyon. Born in Marseille in 1924, Alice Colonieu began her studies at the École supérieure des Beaux-Arts in her native city. Driven by a strong fascination for ceramics, she decided to specialize and attended the Centre de Céramique de Fontcarrade in Montpellier in 1944 and 1945. Her research focused on pieces in thick red clay, shaped with slabs and colombin. She worked with deeply engraved and superimposed relief decorations, giving them refined effects of transparency and fading through a skilful interplay of glazes. Her works, generally featuring animal, plant or abstract motifs, seem inhabited by a vigorous energy, evoked by the almost "baroque" workmanship of her volumes. Her works come alive under her gestures; curves and lines are set free in space. The quality of her creations enabled her to take part in several exhibitions, notably the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs in 1953 and 1954, and to win numerous prizes and awards. Colonieu was also recognized and appreciated by institutions both in France and abroad; some of her works were acquired by the Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris and the Musée de la Céramique in Faenza, Italy. Her success led her to collaborate with great decorators such as Jean Royère (1902-1981) and Jules Leleu (1883-1961), and to receive commissions for architectural ceramics. From 1970-1980, she devoted herself almost exclusively to painting and illustrating children's books.