Jānis Blanks

Graduated from J. Rozentāls Riga Secondary School of Art and the Graphic Art Department of the Latvian Academy of Art. He completed the lithography master class of A. Goltiakov and the painting master class of A. Naumovs and K. Zariņš at the Painting Department. He has obtained a Master’s Degree in Art (2000, diploma work on J. Jurjāns). He has been employed at the publishers Jāņa Sēta from 1990, and at the advertising agency DUE from 1999. His work has been exhibited in 12 group exhibitions (Arsenāls Exhibition Hall of the Latvian National Museum of Art, the Alma Gallery etc.). He is a graphic artist and painter, active in the field of book art and design.

The artist considers an important point in his biography to be collaboration in the creation of an anniversary album for the Latvian Academy of Art (A. Naumovs, A. Sprūdžs, J. Blanks. “The Latvian Academy of Art 1921–1996” – Latvijas Mākslas akadēmija 1921–1996. R.: Jāņa Sēta, 1996). Has designed and illustrated books in various genres. The books created by J. Blanks are elegant, restrained, witty and natural. There is the alternative, original photo album “Riga. 8 un 100”, with photographs by professional Latvian photographers divided into eight chapters (text by V. Vējš; design by J. Blanks. R.: AVV reklāmas grupa, 2001).

The book ”Egg on a Bench”, with poetry by A. Neibarts and painted illustrations by J. Blanks (Ola uz sola. R.: liels un mazs, 2010), was nominated for the Jānis Baltvilks Prize in 2010. The vivid stories are brought to life with the help of brightly painted images. The originals, painted on wood, have also been shown, along with other work of recent years, at the exhibition ”Jānis Blanks is 40” (Alma Gallery, 2010).

It’s important that the book  shouldn’t be too big and heavy, so that you can hold it in one hand, and the more pictures, the better. (Jānis Blanks)