Janek

Jean Hellwig was born in Lübeck (Germany) in 1959, in the Polish refugee camp, managed by his father on behalf of the German administration. His mother, French, participated in a Catholic mission to help the populations. In 1964 the family moved to Bordeaux.

Self-taught, he began with comic strips in the 70s under the name Janek, in various Bordeaux newspapers (666!, Brönshit Kroniks ...) before launching into abstract painting in the early 80s on the advice of Max Fetis. In the 90s his painting took a more figurative turn.

After 38 years of practicing very serious activities very seriously, Janek's bias is now to take the time to seriously have fun. The current paintings offer the public a light and humorous approach, titles offset from the image opening the door to the imagination and the interpretation of the spectator. It is about offering the visitor a different reading: to suggest a story, allowing a pause, a light and smiling moment.

Painting contributes to happiness in 3 acts. Creation gives him a Zen fullness, the touch of humor allows him to paint the smile in the corner of the eyes, like when preparing a good joke and finally the meeting with the smiling spectator. If happiness is favored by bathing in positive emotions, then these phases contribute fully to it.

My ambition: to be a happy man and painting is the perfect vector for this.