Abigail Lane (born 1967) is an English artist who works in photography, wax casting, printing and sound.[1] Lane was one of the exhibitors in the 1988 Damien Hirst-led Freeze exhibition—a mixed show of art which was significant in the development of the later-to-be YBA scene of art.
Lane was born in Penzance, Cornwall. She studied at Bristol Polytechnic and Goldsmiths College, University of London.[2] Lanes work attempts to address an absence of an artist or "missing person".[1] She uses clues and photographs as a trace or evidence to her work inviting the audience to piece together a narrative or event that has taken place.[3] Abigail Lane's work presents a disturbing subject matter which creates an alluring effect,[1] Tracey Emin states, "Abigail could show the contents of her fridge and it would be fantastic."[4]
Lane exhibited in the Damien Hirst curated Freeze in 1988, with others including Gary Hume RA, Sarah Lucas and Fiona Rae RA.[5] Karsten Schubert gave her the first solo show in 1992.[6] One of her most well known shows was 'Skin of Teeth'[3] hosted at The Institute of Contemporary Arts in 1995.[3] Lane went on to have a solo show at the Bonnefanten Museum in Maastricht in 1996.[3]
In October 2003, with her two friends Bob Pain and Brigitte Stepputtis, Lane launched a design company in 2003[7] from her London based studio called "Showroom Dummies" . "Showroom Dummies" included a collection of cushions, tiles, fabrics, blankets, uniforms and wall coverings[8] which Lane described as 'things I would want in my own house"[9]