"There's someone in my head but it's not me"

Carved Reconstituted Stone on acrylic and steel plinth. Life size head.

Mike Janes (UK Mike Janes worked in the building industry for many years, and has first hand experience of the behaviour and characteristics of concrete, plaster, bitumen, render and other building materials. These inform his artistic expression when art making, many of his shapes and textures are directly inspired by the movements and skills integral to the process of construction. In his 40s, he obtained a BA (Hons) Fine Art in Context from the University of the West of England. Drawing upon his years of experience as a manual worker, Mike works now mainly using building materials creating works both for the interior and exterior. His studio is located in a spectacular former quarry in Weston-super-Mare. Drawing upon his years of experience as a manual worker, Mike works now mainly using building materials creating works both for the interior and exterior. His studio is located in a spectacular former quarry in Weston-super-Mare. This current series of works directly examines and reflects the effects of manual labour on the building site and its effect on the skin, mind and body. Rather than using traditional painting methods and media, Mike chooses to compound the imagery, using the very same materials and skills associated with the building trade. He expresses a wide variety of techniques by using different finishes and colour treatments.

"There's someone in my head but it's not me"