Cal Lane
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Studio: How would you describe your approach to your medium? What made you choose it?
Cal Lane: As a rule I like to have an idea before choosing the material I work with rather than having the material before choosing the idea I work with. Having said that, I have had some kind of love affair with steel for some time. Working as a female welder and instructor made steel more than just a material but as a metaphor for a cold, tough, hard, industrial material that I could transfer into an object that poked fun at social, cultural, material expectations.
We are in a time where celebrating industry like the Modernists did wasn't connecting with the sentiments of today, carving into the industrial object exposes the fragility of what we once considered a positive symbol of greatness.
S: How would you describe yourself, personally and professionally?
CL: Making art has always been a part of my life, my mom is a painter and I can't remember a time when I didn't want to spend all my time exploring materials, mediums, colour, shape and the possibilities of what my hands and mind can create. I still fondly think of when I would colour with my mom, the pleasure was more about how the crayons felt and smelled, how the waxy surface both sticks and glides across the paper that was attractive to me, not so much the finished product.
S: What inspires you?
CL: Inspiration comes from surprising places, I try to stay open to influences, I try to approach life like a newborn who is looking at everything like I have never seen it before. Because it is true, I have never seen this cup on this day at this time with this light at this age, the meaning of things change.
S: What do you see as your contribution to the field of your craft?
CL: I rarely think of how my work impacts others.
I am very introverted so I don't often come in contact with my viewers.
I am more of an observer and try to avoid the self conscious place of being observed.
I think to be free at least for me I prefer to not think about who I am and how people see me, it is difficult to explore the world truthfully when you worry about how you seem to others.
S: What wisdom do you want to impart to younger makers?
CL: The influence of monoculture in a time where we are confronted by screens everywhere feels oppressive. To be a free thinking individual experimenting with new ideas seems more and more rare. How to encourage individuality and creativity.
Cal Lane
w: callane.com
ig: @cal_lane_artist
This article was published in the Spring/Summer 2022 issue of Studio Magazine.
