‘Ghost of Vengance’ Oil Paint on Masionite
The surreal world of LeRoy Janis
By Denise Giago
Eyapaha Today Editor Tortured and twisted human figures emerging from stark landscapes, reoccurring themes of struggle and humanity intertwine with a slightly sinister element. This is the artwork of Lakota artist LeRoy Janis. Scrawled, scratched and delicately rendered, his paintings are full of contradiction as his surreal social commentaries overflow with a sense of both foreboding and hope. Artist LeRoy Janis was born and raised on the Pine Ridge Reservation. After completing his studies at Red Cloud High School, Janis attended Creighton University where he received a BFA in Studio Art. His work has shown in galleries around Omaha, Nebraska as well in his home town at the Red Cloud Art Show. “I began making art around middle school,” explained Janis. “I was a fan of graffiti art and comic books. At a young age I began drawing the things I saw in comic books and saw on trains and buildings.” In high school art became more important to Janis. As his work progressed he found art to be a way for him to express himself and his thoughts and ideas about the world. “I knew making art was what I really wanted to do, because I couldn’t think of myself as a doctor or a lawyer or anything like that. So when I got the chance to go to college I put my major down as “Studio Art” right away.” said Janis In college Janis learned a lot by being exposed to different things and different people which allowed him to get comfortable with various influences. “I think being a well-rounded artist is important, because learning is a constant endeavor. I also believe imagination is an important thing for people to possess because thinking in new ways makes us grow.” Janis works in a variety of mediums using acrylic paints, water colors, graphite pencils, conte crayon and chalks. However his favorite medium is oil paint. “Oil has the historic past of being a premier medium of artistic masters, I love the way it blends and flows and it is also a point of pride that I am able to create with such an old medium.” When asked to describe his work, Janis had this to say, “ Subject matter is a wide open area for me as I try not to be overtly specific about anything. Much of my ideas are rooted in subjects that all Native artists deal with; from heritage and mythology, to modern ideas like poverty, spirituality, and the pressure of living on the reservation. Most often, I try to convey emotion or an idea through objects and the way they interact. Other times I betray human concepts through the same objects. Although I try to not do the same thing twice, I do have certain images reoccur, as certain ones are more important to my work. I try my best to blend together what I learned in school, being taught traditional/classic methods of European art, with the mythology and symbolism of my Lakota heritage. I believe there is a medium ground between the two that affords me the ability to be versatile and imaginative in my work.” Janis’ plans for the future are to continue to make and sell his art work. “Materials aren’t cheap, so my hopes are to maintain my course and keep producing.” said Janis. As for long term goals, Janis hopes to find a permanent studio space where he can create larger scale paintings. “I think every artist hopes their future hold financial stability, I am no different in this aspect,” said Janis. However, his reasons for making art are as complex as his paintings themselves, Janis explains “I fell in love with how art could change personal perspective, invoke emotion, and its ability trick the mind through illusion. Art is a powerful thing, because the human mind and its thoughts are projected through images. The visual sense is a powerful agent to artists. Art allows us to communicate ideas through the communication of images. Now, I create art to express my personal commentaries on society as well as my hopes and desires. I use my art as a means to show the world how my mind works. I also like to think that a part of my Lakota culture gets preserved and shared. My work gives those ideas a way to exist besides just in my head. For me, painting also helps to relief stress and tension. My only inspiration left these days is the hopes that people see my work and are changed or invigorated or at least see something that makes them appreciate their individuality.” For more information about LeRoy Janis’ artwork, contact him at leroyjanis@hotmail.com. (Contact Denise Giago at production@nsweekly.com) Copyright permission by Native Sun News
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