Jo Lane’s series “About Face” has multiple meanings. One meaning refers to a reversal of attitude, behaviour, or point of view; specifically the army command ‘about-face’ where those ordered are required to turn around 180° and face the other way. Another meaning in the body of work asks the question of what does a face communicate and what is the effect of the denial of face when omitted from the portrait or in this case portraits. For Supernaculum we related to the work as the last thing you see before someone walks away.

Jo Lane uses her drawing practice to explore social and psychological subjects. She is a ‘drawer’ first and foremost, using charcoal, graphite, coloured pencils, and any other material that is present-to-hand, honouring the texture, immediacy and honesty of drawing. Whilst immersed in fastidious mark-making and fibre use as metaphor, decision-making is reflexive, responding intuitively to the outside world, the inside world and the differing shades and depths of line forming on surfaces. The contrast between self and other and the systems of separation and unity that operate throughout humanity, drives the work.