Domesticated Turf

Cal Lane’s ‘industrial doilies’ play upon juxtaposition by transforming industrial objects such as spades, wheelbarrows, oil drums and car doors. The works highlight an unexpected relationship between the delicate and domestic patterns of lace, carved into an expanse of steel to illustrate a comparison and contrast of materials and ideas that compliment and clash with one another. The choice of lace patterns brings an additional dimension to the work, referring to ritual and religion, and hinting at lace’s metaphorical capacity to both expose and conceal. Lane’s decorative work also has a political edge, brought about by the artist’s feelings of being a bystander during a time of war.