Curator talks with artist Xylor Jane about her distinct visual language and recent exhibition at Parrasch Heijnen.
Xylor Jane (b.1963, Long Beach, CA) paints systems-based constellations; applying thousands of tiny dots articulated by pointed peaks. Jane explores vast textural and chromatic ranges, orchestrating intensely intricate paintings that reference numerical, time-based, and other patterned systems. Jane earned a B.F.A from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1993, and has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions both domestically and internationally, including: Parrasch Heijnen, Los Angeles, CA; Canada, New York, NY; Santa Monica Museum of Art, Santa Monica, CA; Almine Rech, Paris, France; and Four, Dublin, Ireland. Jane was recently part of a group show at Parts & Labor, Beacon, NY, 2020. Xylor Jane is represented by Canada Gallery in New York, NY and Parrasch Heijnen in Los Angeles, CA.
The title of your recent exhibition at Parrasch Heijnin, Back Rub/Foot Rub, is intriguing. What does it refer to?
Way back in the 2000s, many spots in Soho hung out a shingle offering a “back rub/foot rub,” and I knew someday I would get to use that as a title for a show. In 2020, I made two of each painting—I was preparing for two shows simultaneously, and parts of their developments were distinguished with this conceptual lens (back, foot), which lined up, and it felt like the right time given the restrictions of the pandemic.
Back Rub/Foot Rub (installation view) Parrasch Heijnen
Back Rub/Foot Rub (installation view) Parrasch Heijnen
How did you originally decide to incorporate mathematics into your work?
The day job as Logistics Coordinator at The SF Needle Exchange gifted me with my subject. I began doing the infinite addition of the Fibonacci series during mandatory staff meetings. I wanted to count the fives, and I still do. I made markings to assist an accurate count, the tabulations were intriguing drawings. I needed to translate the devotion to paintings.
What do algorithms, numerology, and math mean to you?
Numerology is fun, I like adding numbers down to the single digit essence. I enjoy gematria, assigning numbers to the 26 letters of the english alphabet based on their order. X is a 6. It’s the 24th letter, 2+4=6. Mathematical computing in the simple operations is soothing. +, -, x, /.
And where does your interest in palindromes come from?
I was born on 12/21, maybe that sparked my love of palindromes. I also dig infinity mirrors, and numeric palindromes share a similar beauty to me.
Love Chains (detail), 2020, ink and oil on panel, 31-5/8 x 29-5/8 inches
Dissent (26 Nesting Prime Palindromes), 2020, graphite and oil on panel, 23-3/4 x 31-3/4 inches
Walking to Your House (Counting by Threes), 2020, ink and oil on panel, 18-5/8 x 19-5/8 inches
Days Alive #6, 2020, graphite, ink and oil on panel, 20-3/8 X 20-3/8 inches
Who would you consider to be your ideal viewer?
My fantasy viewer has odd, novel thoughts while looking my paintings because their eyes are propeled around the picture plane with unusual patterns.
Please tell me a bit about your ideation process—from the color selection, subject matter, materials used, pattern choices, etc.
My favorites are the 60 numbers that repeat in the one’s column of the Fibonacci series, 11 digit prime palindromes, Julian day numbers, Magic Squares, and Triangular Numbers. Square numbers are also very useful. The 7 hues of ROYGBIV provide the color schematics. and create patterns, along with direction, generally organized within a grid laid in ink. Magic Squares are teeming in patterns. I am particularly drawn to those that move like a Knight in chess.
Rebirther (1-9 Counting Spiral), 2020, ink and oil on panel, 18-5/8 x 19-5/8 inches
When did you originally decide to pursue art?
In 1988, I applied to attend SFAI for BFA. At the time, I was a bartender at a lesbian bar in Southern California, and once I walked up the Chestnut Street hill, through the huge doors, and into that incredible courtyard, I knew my life was forever changed.
Talk to me about the significance of symmetry, repetition, and shapes in your work?
Symmetry is my go-to composing principle—I believe it is a major component to keeping the viewer’s eyes in motion.
What is your favorite number, and why?
I am a double 7, which means that both my name and birthdate add down to 7. I prefer 0, 5, 6, 7, and 11. I also love twin primes, such as 29 and 31, 59 and 61, and 71 and 73. Additionally, I like double twins 101, 103, 107, 10915, 21, 28, 36, 45, 55, 66, 78 (as a sequence) 144, 233, and 377 as well as many more. Some numbers are hard to like, such as 1 because it is very difficult. 2 is also tricky. 9, 10, 12, and 20-meh.
What inspires you?
Waves, clouds, death, rocks, birds, plants, and time.
Xylor Jane
Back Rub/Foot Rub
Parrasch Heijnen
February 5—March 26, 2021
All images courtesy of the artist and Parrasch Heijnen